Chris Christie heading back to Iowa

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) will travel to Iowa next month for a conservative gathering.

Christie, who is considering running for president, will attend the Iowa Freedom Summit hosted by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) and outside group Citizens United. King invited Christie, according to The Associated Press.

{mosads}The potential 2016 hopeful also spent time in the state campaigning for candidates during the midterm elections.

As chairman of the Republican Governors Association, he also traveled the country campaigning for GOP gubernatorial candidates — and raising his profile.

The January event will likely put him in front of a more conservative audience than the ones he has addressed while visiting the state in the past. Though he has no other scheduled events planned, he could use the trip to connect with activists in the crucial caucus state.

Other attendees who are said to be considering a White House run include Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R).

Despite Christie’s quick rise to national prominence, a bid would not be without challenges. Some have raised questions about his outspoken public persona — he told a protester recently to “sit down and shut up” — and foreign policy chops.

He has looked to dispel those questions, taking official trips abroad and saying he has grown has a leader.

And he remains a charismatic politician and a strong fundraiser. This week, it was reported that he is one of three establishment candidates that a group of top GOP donors believe could raise enough money to be competitive in the primary process.