Former United States Speaker of the House Denny Hastert is headed to Des Moines to help 3rd Congressional District candidate Jim Gibbons. Hastert, a former High School wrestling star, will headline a fundraising event for Gibbons that is being hosted by former Congressman Greg Ganske.

Ganske is the last Republican to represent the Congressional District that includes Des Moines. Ganske, who is also a former wrestler, has a history of being a prolific fundraiser. Ganske’s early endorsement of Gibbons should open a lot of doors for Gibbons in the primary.

Below is the press release that the Gibbons campaign sent out about Hastert’s visit:

Jim Gibbons, Republican candidate for Congress in Iowa’s Third Congressional District, announced on Tuesday that former Congressman Greg Ganske will hold a fundraiser for Gibbons at his home on March 17, 2010. This event will feature former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Dennis Hastert.

When asked about the fundraiser for Jim Gibbons, Congressman Ganske said, “In 1994 when I beat 36-year incumbent Congressman Neal Smith to help Republicans take back the House of Representatives, it was time for a change. It’s almost like déjà vu all over again. Speaker Hastert and I are hosting this event for Jim to help him win his primary and then beat Congressman Boswell.”

Jim Gibbons added, “I am truly honored to stand next to two great men like Congressman Greg Ganske and Speaker Dennis Hastert. I am grateful for their willingness to help me build a foundation that will help me win this election.

Congressman Greg Ganske was the last Republican to represent the Des Moines area in Congress, serving from 1995-2003. Speaker Dennis Hastert represented the Illinois 14th Congressional District from 1987-2007. He was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1999-2007. During the last fundraising quarter, Gibbons raised over $207,000, outpacing embattled incumbent Democrat Congressman Leonard Boswell, who raised $169,000.

Read more about the Jim Gibbons for Congress campaign at www.GibbonsforCongress.com.