The fact that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee dropped by Iowa Wednesday, to raise money for a Republican who is running for governor, was a sign that two competitions are heating up at once:

• Next year's potentially crowded primary for governor, in which Republican voters will pick a challenger to incumbent Democrat Gov. Chet Culver.

• The maneuverings by Republicans considering the possibility of running for president in 2012, who one by one have been paying visits -- that look anything but coincidental -- to Iowa, the host of the traditional first-in-the-nation presidential election year caucuses.

Huckabee, who sought the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, has eschewed placing national implications on his appearance on behalf of Bob Vander Plaats -- a businessman who ran unsuccessfully for the 2002 Republican nomination for governor and again in 2006 as the Republicans' nominee for lieutenant governor.

While several Iowa Republicans continue to mull challenging Democratic Gov. Chet Culver in his 2010 election, the GOP field has been winnowed by one. State Auditor David Vaudt's office confirmed to CQ Politics that he will not run for governor, and instead will seek re-election to his current office.

Vaudt's decision was first reported Monday by Iowa media outlets. He told the Des Moines Register that his experience as auditor is paramount given the fiscal difficulties facing the state. "This is a very critical time for Iowa, and we need a strong voice and an experienced voice to keep Iowans in tune with what's really taking place with our finances," Vaudt said.

Vaudt also told Radio Iowa that he had considered the governor's race but that he is "very concerned about Iowa's long-term finances."