Rand Paul
Resume: U.S. Senator from Kentucky
Odds: 9/2
Contrary to some media reports, Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul has not filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to enter the 2016 presidential race.
Multiple media outlets reported that Paul had filed to run for president, which would have made him the first official candidate for the 2016 race. But the reports were false:
No, Rand Paul has not filed with the FEC. And that’s according to the FEC.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Report Were Based on an Old FEC Posting
(Getty)
The reports linked to a FEC page for listing 2016 candidate information for Paul. But Paul has not actually filed anything with the commission. Lexington Herald-Leader reporter Sam Youngman explains:
Per the FEC, they created the ID number for Rand because a super PAC in ’13 said they supported him for prez.
FEC needed a candidate number to tie to PAC. Since Rand had no candidate ID number, FEC created one. Everybody good and confused?
2. Paul Is Expected to Run
Rand Paul, United States Senator for Kentucky, and wife Kelley . (Getty)
MSNBC reported Tuesday that Paul is expected to announce his candidacy April 7.
“This will be an official announcement, not an exploratory committee,” a source told MSNBC. “Everything will happen pretty quickly over the next couple of weeks.”
3. His Father, Ron Paul, Ran For President in 2012
Rand Paul’s father, Ron Paul
Rand’s father, Ron Paul, a former Republican Congressman, has run for president three times, including in 2012 and 2008. He was the Libertarian Party’s nominee for president in 1988.
Rand Paul shares in many of the libertarian views of his father, giving him popularity among non-Republicans.
4. Paul Plans to Hit the Campaign Trail Soon
According to the MSNBC report, he will begin his campaign in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada soon after he makes his announcement.
Those states will kick-off the battle for the Republican nomination.
5. He Will Face a Lot of Competition for the GOP Nomination
According to the New York Times tracker, several Republicans have expressed interest in running. Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, has announced an exploratory committee.
Other candidates could include Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
2012 nominee Mitt Romney has said he is not running.