WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidential candidates are a common sight in Iowa as the 2016 campaign intensifies. But the White House hopefuls are now seeing competition from the man they’re running to succeed. President Barack Obama will spend this (Monday) afternoon in Des Moines, the capital of the kickoff caucus state that will be instrumental in winnowing down the 2016 primary field and picking a president in the general election.

Officially, Obama will be in Iowa to join Education Secretary Arne Duncan for a back-to-school bus tour and to announce a change to the college financial aid system that will foster earlier loan deadlines for students. But the visit also allows Obama to make an imprint on the 2016 race, arguing for Democratic priorities and drawing a contrast with the many Republican candidates blanketing Iowa.