Rubio heading to Iowa to support Ernst

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is heading to Iowa next week to help bolster the Senate campaign of Joni Ernst (R).

Ernst’s campaign announced Saturday that Rubio, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, will be joining her in Iowa on Monday. Rubio endorsed the Iowa state senator in May, and his PAC is running television ads backing her bid to fill the seat vacated by the retiring Sen. Tom Harkin (D).

{mosads}Rubio’s backing will come a day before primary voters head to the polls, as Ernst enjoys a solid lead ahead of a crowded GOP field. She has received a broad range of GOP support, ranging from conservative firebrands like Sarah Palin to establishment favorites such as Mitt Romney.

The winner of the primary will likely face off against the leading Democratic candidate, Rep. Bruce Braley, where polls show him enjoying a slight edge over a GOP challenger.

Of course, any visit to Iowa by a potential presidential candidate carries additional significance, given the state’s early critical role in the nomination process.