Republican Tim Pawlenty in eastern, central Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Republican presidential prospect Tim Pawlenty is campaigning in eastern and central Iowa on a two-day trip through the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

The former Minnesota governor will meet with GOP activists in Linn County around midday before headlining a party fundraising dinner in Johnson County.

Pawlenty heads to Marshalltown Saturday for a mid-morning event and then to Warren County Republicans for a stop at an Indianola sandwich shop.

Aides say Pawlenty is expected to stress cutting federal spending during the trip.

Pawlenty has been among the most aggressive likely presidential candidates in building an organization in Iowa. He was the first to name an Iowa campaign team, and says he need to win or do very well in Iowa's precinct caucuses, set to begin the 2012 nominating sequence next February.