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JOHNSTON — When a new Republican candidate for president is needed in three years — at the end of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term — the White House hopefuls once again will make their way to Iowa, the state’s Republican Party chair believes.
Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann discussed the future of the Iowa caucuses, his future in the state party and other topics on Friday while recording his appearance on this weekend’s episode of “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS.
Kaufmann said Iowa Republicans would “go it alone” in leading off the 2028 presidential election cycle if they must — as national Democrats have stripped Iowa Democrats’ of their first-in-the-nation caucus status. Kaufmann, as he has in the past, lamented the Democrats’ decision.
Regardless of the Democrats’ schedule, Iowa Republicans will get the first say on the nation’s next president once again in 2028, Kaufmann said.
“My No. 1 goal — in fact, I had a conversation with (national Republican Party) Chairman (Michael) Whatley yesterday — absolutely, that is the No. 1 thought in my mind right now, making sure to nail that down. I feel good about it. I feel good at where we’re at with President Trump.”
Trump generally has been supportive of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status. He finished second in his first caucuses here, in 2016, won the 2020 caucuses as an incumbent, and won the competitive 2024 caucuses by a historically large margin. Trump also carried Iowa in all three of his general elections.
“I expect that we’re going to lead off the whole process, and we’re going to be first the nation,” Kaufmann said.
Kaufmann on another term
Kaufmann said he has not yet determined whether he will seek another term as the state party’s chair, a position he has held for more than a decade. He already is the longest-tenured Republican Party of Iowa state chair, as far back as those records go.
The state party’s leadership committee will meet next month to vote on its next state chair.
“New blood is always good,” Kaufmann said. “On the other hand, I feel like I’ve made a difference.”
Kaufmann has overseen the state’s transition from political competitiveness to near-complete Republican control.
In 2014, Iowa had an even split in its Congressional delegation of three Republicans and three Democrats, and the Iowa Legislature was under divided control — Republicans held the majority in the Iowa House and Democrats in the Iowa Senate.
Now, the Iowa Capitol is fully under Republican control and all six members of the federal delegation are Republicans.
Also in Kaufmann’s time, Iowa in three presidential elections has gone to Republican Trump.
“You know, it’s a tiring job. I’m all over the state. I’m every place, everywhere,” Kaufmann said. “It’s like herding cats. Sometimes it’s like herding cats in the end stages of rabies, in terms of focusing on a particular goal.
“And these campaigns, they’re long, they’re expensive. The fundraising is expensive. This year, it was a little bit more challenging because we did not have the resources coming from the national party. (That’s) not a criticism of the national party. It’s just, they had other places to put (their resources). So all of those factor in.”
“Iowa Press” can be viewed on Iowa PBS at 7:30 p.m. Friday and noon on Sunday, plus any time online at iowapbs.org.
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