Matt Collins
05-02-2009, 04:59 PM
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6404481.html
Paul ready to enter GOP primary for Bunning's seat
By ROGER ALFORD Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press
May 2, 2009, 9:31AM
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Republican Rand Paul, son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul, said Friday he is poised to enter the race for U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning's seat if the 77-year-old sports icon decides to retire.
"I've been traveling the state and giving speeches as if there is going to be a race," he told The Associated Press. "Every bone in my body says there is going to be a race."
But the Bowling Green, Ky., physician said he won't rush into the campaign just because another potential GOP challenger has stepped forward. His father, who is a physician in Lake Jackson, Texas, represents a Texas Gulf Coast U.S. House district that extends from Galveston to Victoria.
Bunning is former pitcher and Baseball Hall of Famer has won election to the Senate twice from Kentucky, both times by razor-thin margins. Some Republican leaders, fearing Bunning lacks the political muscle to survive a third challenge, are sending not-so-subtle messages that they want him to retire. He raised only $262,980 from January through March for a race that he said would likely cost some $7 million to win.
Paul, a fan of Bunning's conservative fiscal philosophy, said it is those mixed signals that have him standing ready to enter the race.
Paul, who shares many of his father's conservative political views, was an integral part of last year's presidential campaign. He said his father's political organization largely remains intact and could be reactivated to raise money for his Senate race.
His father finished third in Kentucky's Republican presidential primary behind John McCain and Mike Huckabee but well ahead of Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Alan Keyes.
Paul ready to enter GOP primary for Bunning's seat
By ROGER ALFORD Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press
May 2, 2009, 9:31AM
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Republican Rand Paul, son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul, said Friday he is poised to enter the race for U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning's seat if the 77-year-old sports icon decides to retire.
"I've been traveling the state and giving speeches as if there is going to be a race," he told The Associated Press. "Every bone in my body says there is going to be a race."
But the Bowling Green, Ky., physician said he won't rush into the campaign just because another potential GOP challenger has stepped forward. His father, who is a physician in Lake Jackson, Texas, represents a Texas Gulf Coast U.S. House district that extends from Galveston to Victoria.
Bunning is former pitcher and Baseball Hall of Famer has won election to the Senate twice from Kentucky, both times by razor-thin margins. Some Republican leaders, fearing Bunning lacks the political muscle to survive a third challenge, are sending not-so-subtle messages that they want him to retire. He raised only $262,980 from January through March for a race that he said would likely cost some $7 million to win.
Paul, a fan of Bunning's conservative fiscal philosophy, said it is those mixed signals that have him standing ready to enter the race.
Paul, who shares many of his father's conservative political views, was an integral part of last year's presidential campaign. He said his father's political organization largely remains intact and could be reactivated to raise money for his Senate race.
His father finished third in Kentucky's Republican presidential primary behind John McCain and Mike Huckabee but well ahead of Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Alan Keyes.