Cruz, Jindal trying to drive conservative turnout

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas speaks at the 2014 Values Voter Summit in Washington, Friday, Sept. 26, 2014. Prospective Republican presidential candidates are expected to promote religious liberty at home and abroad at a gathering of evangelical conservatives, rebuking an unpopular President Barack Obama while skirting divisive social issues that have tripped up the GOP. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas speaks at the 2014 Values Voter Summit in Washington, Friday, Sept. 26, 2014. Prospective Republican presidential candidates are expected to promote religious liberty at home and abroad at a gathering of evangelical conservatives, rebuking an unpopular President Barack Obama while skirting divisive social issues that have tripped up the GOP. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

By Associated Press September 27, 2014 1 min read

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, both considered 2016 Republican presidential prospects, it’s a chance to meet hundreds of likely participants in Iowa’s caucuses.

The politicians are set to speak to influential Iowa conservatives Saturday night in Des Moines. The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition event is intended to help drive turnout among social conservatives for the November election.

The caucuses in early-voting Iowa are expected to launch the presidential voting in a year and a half. Cruz and Jindal have already visited Iowa multiple times.

The race for retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin’s seat between Democrat Bruce Braley and Republican Joni Ernst is competitive and seen as among the handful that could determine Senate control.