Rand Paul Endorses Mitt Romney

Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., endorsed Mitt Romney for President on Fox News Thursday night, citing a “kinship” with the former Massachusetts governor on several important issues.

Paul, a tea party favorite, had previously endorsed his father, libertarian icon Ron Paul. “My first choice had always been my father,” said Paul, “But now that the nominating process is over, I’m happy to announce that I’m going to be supporting Gov. Mitt Romney,” reports The Hill.

Ron Paul nominally remains a candidate in the GOP race, but he announced last month that he was suspending his campaign and has since telegraphed to supporters that he lacks the delegates to secure the nomination.

With Ron Paul retiring at the end of the 113th Congress, many observers have identified his son as his heir-apparent. The younger Paul would inherit his father’s dedicated band of followers — and their demonstrable financial muscle — both of which would be valuable assets for a presidential run of his own in 2016.

In a statement, Romney said he was “honored” to receive Paul’s endorsement, calling the Kentucky senator “a leading voice in the effort to scale back the size and reach of government and promote liberty.”