Republican Rand Paul says he has contributed $250,000 and pledged another $200,000 to pay for a proposed GOP presidential caucus in his home state of Kentucky next year. By holding a caucus, in which voters organize by local precinct and choose their preferred candidate, Paul believes he can circumvent the state’s prohibition that candidates cannot appear on the ballot for two offices at the same time. As some skepticism has been recently had about the seriousness of Paul’s Presidential run, this significant contribution should quiet any doubts that Paul is aiming to become the Republican nominee.
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Kentucky U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell says he still supports Rand Paul’s effort to run for re-election and campaign for President. “Before you do, I wanted you to hear straight from me about the plan to fund it”. The Central Committee will consider Paul’s request on Saturday.
This week, Paul is taking a break from the campaign trail to perform pro bono eye surgeries in Haiti, an annual voyage he makes in order to maintain his licensure as an ophthalmologist.
Paul recently wrote a $250,000 check to the party for a caucus and has vowed to cover whatever it costs.
Party officials estimate the March 5 caucus will cost about $500,000, and require 400 work hours on the day of the event.
Paul, a tea party favorite, also pledged to raise or transfer another $200,000 at a date agreed on by his campaign team and RPK. “Similar fees are charged in other states”, Paul told the central committee members in the letter.
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“I’m disappointed that they sent a letter saying the money had been transferred when it hadn’t”, said Scott Lasley, the Warren County Republican Party chairman who also chaired a special committee that drafted a plan for presidential caucuses. But over the past few months, the emergence of other candidates–particularly real estate mogul Donald Trump–combined with Paul’s fundraising struggles and the indictment of the campaign’s close allies on conspiracy charges stemming back to Paul’s father’s 2008 presidential run, Rand Paul has struggled to regain his footing. As a state that traditionally holds its election in late spring–a time when White House primaries are often no longer competitive–candidates largely ignore the state or don’t see it as a campaign priority.
