When Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller (D) needed a special guest at a campaign fundraiser, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) was only too willing to help. New Hampshire state Sen. Dan Feltes (D) wanted to raise cash, so he turned to former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander (D).

And Iowa Democrats fighting for a House district in a special election last year turned to Rep. John Delaney John DelaneyCoronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Rodney Davis Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer says Trump right on China but wrong on WHO; CDC issues new guidance for large gatherings The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says country needs to rethink what 'policing' means; US cases surpass 2 million with no end to pandemic in sight MORE (D-Md.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley Jeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Sunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' MORE (D-Ore.) for help rallying volunteers.

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From the farmland around Fairfield, Iowa, to the snowy streets of Concord, N.H., the invisible primary for the Democratic presidential nomination is well underway. More than a dozen potential candidates have made initial forays into states that will hold the first nominating contests of the cycle, honing a campaign message and meeting the activists who could make or break their Oval Office dreams.

“We’re in ‘grab an oar’ territory. People want to pitch in any way they can in the progressive movement,” Kander said in an interview. “For me, that may mean headlining fundraisers, or helping recruit volunteers.”

The activists and party leaders who benefit from a visit by a candidate like Kander take note of the national names — some big, some little-known — who show up.

“We are watching and paying attention to who is thinking about it,” said Mark Smith, the Democratic minority leader of the Iowa state House. “It’s a wide-open field, and there are a good number of people from lots of different backgrounds that are interested in running.”

After suffering bruising losses during the 2010 and 2014 midterm elections, Democrats at the state legislative level can use all the help they can get to rebuild the bench. In those Republican waves, Democrats lost just shy of 1,000 state legislative seats across the country.

In states like New Hampshire and Iowa, where Republicans control both the governor’s office and the legislature, Democratic leaders are happy to be used as the first steps in undeclared presidential campaigns.

“My ambition is to win the Senate. Whoever helps me to get to a Democratic majority, I’m going to be grateful to,” said Jeff Woodburn, the Democratic minority leader of the New Hampshire state Senate. “If you’re a little-known candidate or potential candidate, I think it’s important to get out there and build relationships.”

Some candidates have made frequent trips to key early states, in hopes of building lasting bonds.

Kander’s visit to New Hampshire late last month was his ninth trip to the state since President Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE was inaugurated. He called The Hill from Georgia, where he will host an event, after waking up Monday morning in Mississippi, where he raised money for a Democratic candidate for Congress. Kander has visited 38 states since Trump was inaugurated.

Does that mean he’s running for president?

“It’s something that people are asking me about, which has me thinking about it,” Kander, 36, said. “After 2018, I’m going to consider my options.”

Delaney, 54, the only candidate who has officially announced his bid, has already spent money on television advertisements. The 54-year-old Merkley — a leader of the progressive wing of the Senate Democratic Conference whose profile is not as large as Sens. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenJudd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? MORE (D-Mass.), 68, or Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersJacobin editor: Primarying Schumer would force him to fight Trump's SCOTUS nominee Trump campaign plays up Biden's skills ahead of Cleveland debate: 'He's actually quite good' Young voters backing Biden by 2:1 margin: poll MORE (I-Vt.), 76 — has traveled to both Iowa and New Hampshire.

Bullock, 51, spent three days in Iowa this week, fundraising for Miller and the Polk County Democrats. He met with state legislative leaders, then traveled to Marshalltown — Smith’s backyard — for another meet and greet. The Montana governor has also traveled to states like Arizona and Wisconsin, states Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Biden leads Trump by 12 points among Catholic voters: poll The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden goes on offense MORE’s campaign was criticized for avoiding in 2016.

More prominent possible contenders are staying home for the moment, though they are helping out with money or other support.

Warren has signed fundraising emails for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), tasked with electing Democrats to state House and Senate seats across the country. Former Attorney General Eric Holder Eric Himpton HolderThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump's rally risk | Biden ramps up legal team | Biden hits Trump over climate policy Biden campaign forming 'special litigation' team ahead of possible voting battle Pompeo, Engel poised for battle in contempt proceedings MORE, 67, will headline the DLCC’s annual meeting in Miami in July. Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.), 48, headlined a DLCC meeting in Washington in December.

“The big names, for their political purposes, don’t want to show up and light everybody’s curiosity on fire,” Woodburn said. “Their route is a different route from a lesser-known candidate. You play the hand you’re dealt, and I’m not sure being a front-runner is a good hand to be dealt right now.”

Two billionaires said to be considering runs — former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, 76, and California hedge fund investor Tom Steyer, 60 — are funding candidates and get-out-the-vote efforts through groups they finance. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), 55; Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), 67; former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), 61; and former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Trump puts Supreme Court fight at center of Ohio rally Special counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report MORE (D), 75, have all stumped with legislative candidates across the country.

“There’s so many ways they can get engaged and help, raise the visibility of these races with the help of their national profile,” said Jessica Post, who runs the DLCC. “With the huge number of candidates that are popping up to run for the presidency, hopefully we’ll see even more support.”

Strategists watching the Democratic field say the early efforts at outreach are a symbiotic relationship. The potential presidential candidates get exposure to activists in early states, demonstrating their commitment to the party, while legislative candidates get the benefit of a high-wattage political celebrity who helps raise money and fire up the troops.

“It is a way to structure your engagement,” said Colm O’Comartun, a former executive director of the Democratic Governors Association and a longtime adviser to O’Malley.

Democrats in Iowa and New Hampshire say the potential presidential candidates usually make the first outreach, to let party leaders know they will be in the area and to offer help. State leaders and representatives for the potential candidate then hold a conference call to decide how best to use time.

“It’s a way that both can get further name recognition,” Iowa’s Smith said. “The candidates themselves are looking at timing, when it’s best to start speculation that they’re running.”