War Secretary Pete Hegseth‘s increasing presence on the 2026 campaign trail is sparking rumors about his political future.

Hegseth was in Iowa on Monday to campaign for Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), a two-term lawmaker representing a battleground district House Republicans must win if they hope to keep the majority. Hegseth and Nunn appeared together at the Iowa State Fair, a marquee stop on the political calendar that has long drawn presidential hopefuls and other national political figures.