Organizers said Thursday that Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, will attend the first-ever “Iowa Agriculture Summit” next month, along with other potential 2016 presidential candidates who will return to the Hawkeye State, home of the first-in-the-nation caucuses.
“The Iowa Agriculture Summit promises to be an informative and insightful forum,” said Bruce Rastetter, an Iowa philanthropist and entrepreneur who is behind the event. “We’re looking forward to more speakers confirming in the days ahead.”
Mr. Rastetter has invited about two dozen prospective presidential contenders, Democrats and Republicans, to the event, and will spend 20 minutes onstage with each speaker talking about farm and agriculture-related issues.
Other confirmed attendees include former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, and businessman Donald Trump.
Mr. Cruz, Mr. Walker, Mr. Huckabee, Mr. Perry, Mr. Santorum and Mr. Trump all attended GOP Rep. Steve King’s “Iowa Freedom Summit” last month as well.
The “Ag Summit” is also scheduled to include Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and GOP Sen. Charles E. Grassley.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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