In an exclusive interview, the head of the Republican Party in Iowa, Jeff Kauffman, commented on Sen. Marco Rubio and his prospects in the upcoming race. Kauffman especially pointed out the senator's stance on immigration reform, unsure of how the Florida senator could reach Iowans.

Kauffman, chairman of Iowa's GOP, told Breitbart News he "doesn't know about Marco Rubio and immigration." The Florida Republican is competing with at least 10 other official Republican candidates as well as more unannounced hopefuls for the party's presidential candidacy.

Sen. Rubio has to stand out to battle it out against the other contenders, and immigration reform could be his ticket to success. But Kauffman remains unsure. If he does not know much about Sen. Rubio's policies, what about regular Iowans?

"I will say this much about immigration -- my read of the Republican base is that there is one thing that all the Republican base agrees on -- that is secure the border, that is an absolute must," he said.

Kauffman believes securing the border, a notion Sen. Rubio completely endorses, is necessary for any candidate vowing to reform the immigration system. Sen. Rubio has said he would secure the border before planning any reforms.

"I think there are multiple nuance positions and I don't think any one candidate's nuance position is going to put him in the running or out of the running unless they are weak on securing the border," Kauffman added.

What could be Sen. Rubio's problem among Iowans is his lack of star power, at least among Midwesterners. The Floridian needs to meet more people face to face, Kauffman recommended, citing Rick Santorum's success in the last election cycle.

Iowa's freshman senator Joni Ernst hosted an event this weekend, called Roast and Ride, and invited various Republican presidential hopefuls. The fundraiser, meant to fill the coffers of Sen. Ernst's PACs, allowed the candidates one on one time with Iowans, according to the Wall Street Journal. Kauffman believes this can be very useful for Sen. Rubio, whose family history could appeal to Iowans.

The son of Cuban immigrants whose parents had working-class jobs can appeal to many as well as the stories about his grandfather.

"We're the second most senior state in the nation -- you talk about a grandpa story ... you got instant bonding," Kauffman said.

However, what can also work among Iowans is Sen. Rubio's support for Sen. Ernst, backing the candidate during her run for a seat in the Senate.

"Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was the one candidate that extended his neck and ran the risk of endorsing Ernst while she was still in the primary -- so for Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., it is a no brainer," he added.

Sen. Marco has not been faring poorly in the Iowa polls. An average gathered by Real Clear Politics of recent polls from April to May put the Florida Republican on second place with 11 points behind Gov. Scott Walker, who had 18.2. Gov. Walker also attended the event.

In a Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics Iowa poll from late May he ranked third, behind Gov. Walker and Mike Huckabee, with a 60 percent favorability rating. A national poll from last week also found Sen. Rubio the most popular among younger voters.

Sen. Rand Paul, Jeb Bush and Sen. Ted Cruz were unable to make the event, reported Politico.