Rand Paul campaign pots filling faster in 2013

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Rand Paul raised nearly $2 million in campaign funds in the first half of 2013, records show, even as his political plans for 2016 aren't yet known.

Filings with the Federal Election Commission indicate the first-term Kentucky Republican's senatorial re-election fund and his political action committee received $1.9 million from January through June, The (Louisville) Courier Journal reported Sunday.

That puts him in third place behind potential Republican presidential rivals Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

Rubio has raised $2.75 million; Ryan $2.3 million.

Still, what Paul has collected this year nearly ties the $2.15 million raised in the previous two years combined.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, both rumored to have a similar interest, are well back in the pack. Cruz has raised $1.6 million while Santorum received $138,396.

Paul says he will make a decision about running for president after the 2014 mid-term elections.

Paul has spent slightly more than $1 million since January, FEC records showed. He had nearly $1.4 million on hand at his two committees.