Kentucky GOP backs Paul’s dual campaigns

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul took his first step toward running for president with state party leaders Saturday endorsing his plan for a presidential caucus in 2016.

The move clears the way for Paul to run for president and for re-election to his Senate seat without breaking a state law that bans candidates from appearing on the ballot twice in the same election.

The state GOP’s central committee still must sign off on the proposal in August. But, more importantly for Paul, Saturday’s vote by the Republican Party of Kentucky’s executive committee was an early endorsement of his unusual plan for dual campaigns ahead of a wide open Republican presidential primary.

“I just want to be treated like many other candidates around the country who have not been restricted,” Paul told reporters after the vote.

Paul has characterized himself as a “different kind of Republican,” and campaigning for two offices at once would certainly set him apart among the Republican field. Of the numerous potential Republican candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is the only one also up for re-election in 2016. Rubio has said he would not run for both offices.