Notable Democrats are planning to flood into the first-in-the-nation presidential caucus state of Iowa over the next two months, signaling the soft launch of the midterm campaign season while stoking speculation about their future intentions.

At least 10 current and former Democratic lawmakers and officeholders from outside the Hawkeye State are scheduled to make appearances there through the end of September, many of whom aren't well-known nationally but may be using the visits to test-drive grander ambitions.

On Friday in Clear Lake, the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding – an annual late-summer, grass-roots fundraiser that has drawn the likes of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders – will feature Reps. Elijah Cummings of Maryland and Eric Swalwell of California, as well as Jason Kander, a former Missouri candidate for the U.S. Senate.

While Cummings isn't seen as holding interest in the presidency, the 36-year-old Swalwell has accrued a national profile with a steady stream of television appearances tied to his membership on the House intelligence committee, which is probing Russia's meddling in the 2016 election and its potential collusion with President Donald Trump's campaign.

Since losing his Senate race by roughly 3 points last fall, the 36-year-old Kander has devoted himself to Let America Vote, a nonprofit voting rights group he founded. But as a contributor to CNN and with his busy travel schedule – which has included stops in New Hampshire, Georgia and Massachusetts, along with a previous visit to Iowa – he's made it clear he's seeking a national profile.

"If I'm good at protecting elections, then maybe one day I'll be in one," Kander said during his jaunt to Georgia to support the congressional campaign of Jon Ossoff.

On Sept. 10 in Des Moines, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, are headlining the Progress Iowa Corn Feed.

Merkley was the only sitting Democratic senator to endorse Sanders' presidential bid, and he made liberal hearts flutter when he staged a 15-hour speech in opposition to Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch this past spring. A source close to Merkley told CNN earlier this year that the senator would be motivated to make a 2020 run if he felt there wasn't a strong progressive in the field.

Buttigieg earned himself plaudits from party activists for his valiant bid to lead the Democratic National Committee last winter. Even before that, The New York Times' Frank Bruni posited that Buttigieg's unique profile – he's a young Midwesterner and Rhodes Scholar turned Navy Reserve officer who served in Afghanistan – might just help him become the first gay president.

On Sept. 30, the Polk County Steak Fry – a showcase for rising stars that was started by former Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin and friends and is now being revived by local party members – will feature three House Democrats under the age of 60.

Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio, who unsuccessfully challenged House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California for her leadership position last year, will join Reps. Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts at this Iowa tradition.

Ryan is perpetually speculated about as a candidate for higher office, but has passed up opportunities to wage campaigns for governor and senator. Already helping to helm House Democrats' messaging strategy and as someone who has succeeded in a working-class district, Bustos is expected to become more visible as the midterm campaign season ramps up.

But it's the 38-year-old Moulton whom many Democrats believe holds loftier goals.

It was just hours after Clinton's loss to Trump that Moulton's top political adviser phoned him and told him he should run for president, according to Politico.

Like Buttigieg's, Moulton's profile is sterling: three degrees from Harvard and four tours in Iraq as a Marine. But like many of the aforementioned names, he is virtually unknown outside of the Bay State.

That's what going to Iowa is all about. It earns a politician press, an audience with the most engaged activists, and handshakes that become contacts who may be handy down the road.

Newly minted presidential candidate John Delaney, a third-term Democratic congressman from Maryland, is spending two days there next week to accomplish those things.

And another Marylander – 2016 presidential candidate Martin O'Malley, the state's former two-term governor – has planned a visit in September, according to Iowa Democratic Party chairman Troy Price.

It's unlikely that any of the coming visitors – besides Delaney – will stray from messaging that bolsters the party, boosts local candidates and eviscerates Trump.

"I attribute these visits to the fact that Democrats are energized out there and excited about the possibilities that exist for us," Price says.

These also aren't the names that are most commonly tossed about as prospective high-voltage 2020 contenders, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts or former Vice President Joe Biden.

As nationally known staples, they don't need to show up quite this early.