Tracking 2016 hopefuls: Perry, O'Malley top visitors to Iowa

What do Rick Perry and Martin O'Malley have in common besides being governors?

They lead the group of potential 2016 presidential candidates in their respective parties in visits to Iowa, which our colleagues at TheDes Moines Register are now following with a Candidate Tracker ahead of the 2016 first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Perry, who came in fifth in Iowa during his disastrous 2012 presidential bid, has made eight trips to the Hawkeye State since then and held 33 events — tops among Republicans, the Register reports. He campaigned in 2014 for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Joni Ernst, who won the state's open U.S. Senate seat. The Texas governor, who leaves office in January, plans to meet with donors and policy experts in Austin this week in preparation for another potential White House race, according to Politico.

Among Democrats, O'Malley has made four trips to Iowa since the 2012 elections. He helped Jack Hatch in his campaign against Branstad, helped rally Democratic voters ahead of the midterm elections, and raised money for Democratic congressional candidates.

In all, the Register is tracking 24 potential 2016 candidates — including nine Democrats and 15 Republicans.