Likely ensuring that their phone calls will be returned promptly through the 2012 Iowa Caucuses, the Washington, D.C.,-based news site Politico has named Republcian Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn one of its 50 “politicos” from around the country whose stock is on the rise.

Strawn is included in a list titled “Under the radar” and designed to highlight those who are not well known but are sure to “make a splash.” While Strawn said his focus is on 2010 and the campaign to overcome Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers and defeat incumbent Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, Iowa’s position as the first presidential test of 2012 could make Strawn an important player in national politics.

From Politico:

“Part of it is just making sure that young voters and young professionals see a party that reflects what their lives are,” Strawn told POLITICO. “We’re putting on that face of being someone who actually understands the busy lives of young families in the state.”

In his first 100 days, Strawn — who owns the Iowa Barnstormers, a local Arena Football League team — has helped the state GOP out-fundraise the Iowa Democratic Party and logged more than 7,500 miles on the road, reaching out to towns and cities that had not received a visit from a state Republican chairman in years.