Advertisement

Rand Paul files to run for president and Senate

The GOP senator insisted the move does not signify a lack of confidence in his presidential campaign.

By Ann Marie Awad
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., says despite filing to run for reelection to his Senate seat, he is optimistic about his presidential bid. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., says despite filing to run for reelection to his Senate seat, he is optimistic about his presidential bid. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Republican Sen. Rand Paul filed Monday to run for president in his home state of Kentucky -- as well as for his current senate seat.

Paul said the move does not indicate a lack of confidence in his presidential bid. "I think what it reflects is that people see my voice as a unique voice in the U.S. Senate and they want my voice to be heard nationally, and while I am an optimist, everybody knows there is 10, 15 other men and women running," he said.

Advertisement

The Lexington Herald Leader reported the move complicates things for Paul due to a Kentucky law that prohibits candidates from appearing twice on the same ballot. The Kentucky GOP chose to hold its first-ever presidential caucus in March to avoid the conflict during the normal primary election in May. The paper reported Paul raised $250,000 to cover the cost of the caucus, and on Monday he paid the $15,000 filing fee to participate.

Paul is the fifth Republican to file for the caucus, following former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Ted Cruz, Donald Trump and Ben Carson.

Advertisement

Paul made his pitch to reach out to African American voters who have left the GOP. The Louisville Courier-Journal reported Paul filed the paperwork at the Jefferson County Republican Party's West End office, where he told a crowd: "We are still the party of equal opportunity, we are still the party of emancipation, but now we also want to be the party of opportunity."

Latest Headlines