Senator Rand Paul has become the second Republican with Tea Party support to announce his bid for the 2016 US presidential race.
“I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government,” the first-term Senator from Kentucky announced on his website on Tuesday. He was to formally kick off his bid a little later in the day with a “Stand with Rand” rally in louisville.
The 52-year-old Paul, son of former Congressman and presidential aspirant Ron Paul, regards himself as the “electable Tea Party guy”. He made that remark after fellow-Senator and another Tea Party favourite, Ted Cruz from Texas, announced his bid a fortnight ago. Paul was elected to the Senate in 2011 with Tea Party support.
But these are early days. And there are as many as 20 Republicans, including perceived front-runner Jeb Bush and Indian-American Governor of louisiana Bobby Jindal, who are all contemplating throwing their hats into the presidential ring. like his father, Paul is known for his libertarian-leaning brand of conservatism. “While at times a gadfly to party leadership, he’s also positioned himself as slightly more mainstream than his father,” the conservative Fox News channel commented.