Former Senator Scott Brown travels to Iowa, mulls Presidential run

Nov. 13, 2012: In this file photo, Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., speaks during a media availability, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP)

Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown took a tentative step toward declaring himself a candidate for the 2016 presidential election over the weekend by attending the Iowa State Fair, a 10-day event that is famous for attracting politicians with Oval Office ambitions.

The Des Moines Register reported that Brown, the former GOP senator from Massachusetts, was hardly recognized by fairgoers as he ate, drank, and did interviews.

"I hate it when politicians show up at places right before an election and that’s it," Brown told the Register. "It’s the only time you see them. I’m from the philosophy, you show up as much as you can throughout your cycle so that it’s more like, ‘Hey, Scott, where you been?’ versus, ‘Hi, who are you?’”

Brown became a star among Republicans when he won a special election to replace the late Se.. Teddy Kennedy in 2010. However, Brown failed to keep his seat in 2012, when he was defeated by Elizabeth Warren. Since leaving the Senate, Brown has worked as a Fox News contributor, and has publicly speculated about running for either Massachusetts Governor or New Hampshire Senator in 2014.

Last week, Brown admitted to the Boston Herald that he was also exploring the possibility of a presidential bid in 2016, but added it was "premature" to decide whether he'll run.

"“I want to get an indication of whether there’s even an interest, in Massachusetts and throughout the country, if there’s room for a bi-partisan problem solver,” Brown told the paper. Explaining his Iowa interest, he said, "I am curious. There’s a lot of good name recognition in the Dakotas and here – that’s pretty good.”

Brown was similarly circumspect at the State Fair. When one fairgoer asked him about future political endeavors, Brown said "I'm here, seeing if there's any interest."