A vote this Saturday by Kentucky GOP leaders could deliver a serious boost or blow to Sen. Rand Paul’s political fortunes. The 340-member state Republican Party central committee will decide whether to grant the candidate a work-around allowing him to appear on the primary ballot twice.
Paul needs the party to substitute the state’s May primary with a March caucus, removing the first major legal hurdle to his dual run for Senate and the White House. But lingering doubts about the libertarian-leaning Republican’s promise to ensure the $400,000 to $500,000 tab gets paid means the vote isn't a lock – and Paul spent part of his Thursday night courting committee support via conference call.
The presidential hopeful tells WKYT-TV that state GOP leaders can trust him.
"There will be a variety of funding and I pledge to make sure there is enough," he says. "There will be fees for people to be candidates in the state and that will pay for some of it. Many states actually collect some money on the day of the election just by passing a bag and asking people for a dollar or two. They have 100,000 people vote and they put a dollar or two in a bag, you wind up with enough money to pay for something like this. We pledge to make up any difference that is required."
Early reports this week indicated Paul had transferred $250,000 into the Republican Party of Kentucky’s account, though it was later revealed the campaign is withholding the funds until the panel makes its decision.
Meanwhile, Paul is urging supporters to rally outside Frankfort’s Capital Plaza Hotel ahead of Saturday’s vote.
