Paul eyes election fix to 2016 problem
Rand Paul has a solution for his political and legal dilemma facing his prospective 2016 campaign: Elect new members to the Kentucky state House.
Paul, the Kentucky tea party freshman, said in an interview that he would actively campaign for Kentucky House candidates who will back a bill making it easier for him to run for president and the Senate simultaneously in 2016. If the Democratic-led state House blocks the bill this year, he warned, it would given him even more reason to put his political muscle behind GOP candidates in November.
We are about four seats short of controlling the state House, Paul said Thursday in the Capitol. It does provide some incentive for me to try to help people to win the state House.
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As he gears up for a likely presidential run in 2016, Paul has found himself in a legal dilemma back home since hell also be up for Senate reelection that same year. The law states that no candidates name shall appear on any voting machine or absentee ballot more than once except in certain special election situations.
Such legislation to permit Paul to run for both offices at the same time proposed by state GOP Sen. Damon Thayer cleared a state committee this week and is expected to be approved soon by the Republican-led Senate. Then, it could stall in the state House or face a prospective veto from Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear. A simple majority would be needed to override any veto.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been actively lobbying state senators to back the legislation, sources say.
In Florida, Sen. Marco Rubio finds himself in a similar dilemma but Kentuckys laws appear more restrictive.
If no legislation passes to modify the state law, Paul could be forced to decide whether to mount a presidential bid for his partys nomination or try to hang on to his Senate seat. Since the states filing deadlines arent until the final week of January 2016, he could also try to engage in some legal jujitsu. He could wait until the filing deadline to see if his potential presidential campaign catches fire before deciding which office to seek. Or Paul could just file as a Senate candidate in Kentucky while running for president nationally meaning his name would appear only on his home states ballot in the Senate race.
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