Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan has hired Sen. Bernie Sanders’ former Iowa campaign coordinator, adding to speculation he is working toward a 2020 presidential run.

Ryan hired veteran Democrative operative Pete D’Alessandro, who worked for the Vermont senator in Iowa in 2016, ABC News reported, but D’Alessandro downplayed his role.

“I’m helping this guy anyway I can through the end of this year,” D’Allesandro said.

D’Alessandro said his assistance to Ryan is payback for Ryan campaigning for him in his unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination in Iowa’s 3rd District against Cindy Axne.

“He was here quite a bit for me,” D’Allesandro said. “That’s how I do things, and that’s how this is being done for the rest of this year, at least.”