Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, is scheduled to headline a fundraiser for the party in New Hampshire on August 23, according to the Associated Press. The trip will be the 42-year-old’s first visit to the state.

New Hampshire traditionally holds the first primary, guaranteeing a huge level of media attention and making it an important testing ground and momentum generator for candidates. Cruz also intends to travel to Iowa and Florida and has visited South Carolina: three states that held early votes in the 2012 cycle.

He only took office in January but has swiftly risen to prominence and become popular with the Tea Party for his views and energetic, confrontational style, which has upset some within the Republican establishment.