From CNN Ticker Producer Alex Mooney

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- New York Gov. George Pataki might be leaving the governor's mansion in January, but his visit to the Iowa cornfields this weekend suggests he may not be ready to exit public life entirely.

The three-term Republican governor heads to the Hawkeye State Friday and is slated to host a discussion with Iowa business leaders about GOP policies in Waterloo before he hits a series of meet-and-greets for Republican state candidates Connie Jacobsen, Andy Anderson, and Gregg Orr.

Pataki, who has expressed interest in seeking the GOP nomination for president, will kick off a volunteer door-to-door campaign for Iowa House candidate Roby Smith Saturday morning before he heads back east.

In addition to his occasional visits to Iowa, Pataki has also made stops in other early proving grounds such as New Hampshire and South Carolina.