Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has hired Keith Presley to lead his Iowa caucus campaign, the campaign announced Monday.

Presley, who previously served as deputy campaign manager for Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, will be Inslee's Iowa state director. It's his first hire on the ground in Iowa.

"This new hire is a sign of the growing momentum behind Gov. Inslee’s campaign, as voters are calling for a leader who will put climate change first," Inslee's campaign manager, Aisling Kerins, said in a statement. "We’re excited to have this incredible organizer on the front line in the crucial state of Iowa."

Inslee, who announced he would run for president in March, has made climate change the defining issue of his candidacy. In April, he toured Iowa flood damage and said climate change was to blame.

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A March Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom Iowa Poll found he was the first choice of 1% of likely Democratic caucusgoers. Seventeen percent of poll respondents viewed him favorably, 8% viewed him unfavorably and 75% were unsure.

According to Inslee's communications director, Jamal Raad, the campaign surpassed 55,000 donors over the weekend. It expects to reach 65,000 soon.

Inslee has already met polling criteria set by the Democratic National Committee to participate in its televised debates. However, if more than 20 candidates qualify, the DNC has said it will prioritize candidates who meet the polling criteria and also amass donations from at least 65,000 people.