Senator Rand Paul joins the 2016 presidential campaign
Sen. Rand Paul, a tea party favorite and frequent antagonist of leaders of his Republican Party, is ready to test how much change voters want, both for their government and for the GOP.
Paul is set to begin his White House campaign on Tuesday, kicking off the presidential run with a rally in downtown Louisville, then jetting to early nominating states with a pitch aimed at the libertarian corners of the GOP. Paul begins the 2016 race as the second fully declared candidate, behind Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, but he could face as many as 20 rivals for the nomination before the lead-off Iowa caucuses early next year.
Along the way, the first-term senator is likely to challenge his fellow Republicans' views on both foreign and domestic policy, as well as the nuts and bolts of how campaigns are run. Tech savvy and youth-focused, Paul is expected to be an Internet juggernaut his competitors will be forced to chase. His new website left no doubt about his plans, outlining more than a dozen positions on issues he would take if elected president.
"I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government," he says in a statement posted on the site Tuesday.
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Senator Rand Paul waves before his candidacy for president announcement
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) arrives on stage before formally announcing his candidacy for president during an event in Louisville, Kentucky, April 7, 2015. Earlier on Tuesday, Paul initially announced his candidacy in a post on his website. (Photo: John Sommers II/REUTERS)
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Senator Rand Paul, with wife Kelley Ashby, launches his presidential campaign
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., joined by his wife Kelley Ashby, arrives to announce the start of his presidential campaign, Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
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Senator Rand Paul announces his candidacy for president
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) formally announces his candidacy for president during an event in Louisville, Kentucky, April 7, 2015. Earlier on Tuesday, Paul initially announced his candidacy in a post on his website. (Photo: John Sommers II/REUTERS)
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Former Texas Rep. Ron Paul & wife Carol before Rand Pauls's presidential candidacy announcement
Former Texas Rep. Ron Paul, and his wife Carol await the start of their son, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announcement of the start of his presidential campaign, Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. takes questions during an interview with The Associated Press in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 10, 2015. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
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A girl kisses a cardboard likeness of Senator Rand Paul at a booth in the exhibition hall at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor in Maryland February 27, 2015. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS)
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U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., visits the Peppermill restaurant Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, in Las Vegas. Paul is a possible Republican presidential candidate. (Photo: John Locher/AP Photo)
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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. speaks in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 10, 2015. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. walks from the stage after speaking during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md., Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
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Senator Rand Paul greets members and their guests at the Londonderry Fish and Game Club in Litchfield, New Hampshire
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) (C), a 2016 Republican White House hopeful, greets members and their guests at the Londonderry Fish and Game Club in Litchfield, New Hampshire January 14, 2015. Senator Paul's remarks in the club were closed to the press. (Photo: Brian Snyder/REUTERS)
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A volunteer gathers Rand Paul placards at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, Maryland March 14, 2013. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS)
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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., takes questions during a meet and greet at the Epoch Restaurant in Exeter, N.H., Saturday, March 21, 2015. Paul is traveling through New Hampshire this weekend, hosting several events with local leaders, business owners and activists. (Photo: Cheryl Senter/AP Photo)
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A man in a cowboy hat cheers Senator Rand Paul as he speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor in Maryland February 27, 2015. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS)
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U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), a 2016 Republican White House hopeful, leaves Murphy's Diner after speaking to a group of state legislators in Manchester, New Hampshire January 14, 2015. (Photo: Brian Snyder/REUTERS)
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Supporters of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. cheer as he speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md., Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., walks to a waiting vehicle as he leaves the Capitol after his filibuster of the nomination of John Brennan to be CIA director on Capitol Hill in Washington, early Thursday, March 7, 2013. (Photo: Charles Dharapak/AP Photo)
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Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor in Maryland February 27, 2015. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS)
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Adam Gabbatt of The Guardian newspaper holds images of possible Republican candidates, from left, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Donald Trump, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, bellow, as he interviews Howard "Cowboy" Woodward during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md., Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is greeted by state GOP Chair Jennifer Horn at the party headquarters in Concord, N.H., Oct. 16, 2014. (Photo: Jim Cole/AP Photo)
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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. holds his hands over his head in the manner of protesters during the recent unrest in Ferguson, Mo., as he questions witnesses during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on federal programs that equip state and local police with military equipment, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
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U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) discusses his class action lawsuit against U.S. President Barack Obama over NSA spying revelations, after filing the suit along with FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe (R), at the U.S. District Court in Washington February 12, 2014. The lawsuit also names Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, Director of National Security Agency Keith Alexander and FBI Director James Comey as defendants. (Photo: Jim Bourg/REUTERS)
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U.S. Sen. Rand Paul speaks during the second day of the 5th annual Faith & Freedom Coalition's "Road to Majority" Policy Conference in Washington, June 20, 2014. (Photo: Larry Downing/Reuters)
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Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky gestures at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, Maryland March 14, 2013. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS)
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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. rides in an elevator with reporters and staff members after he spoke at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Road to Majority Conference in Washington, Thursday, June 13, 2013. (Photo: Charles Dharapak/AP Photo)
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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, talks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, as he arrives for a joint Senate and House intelligence briefing on Syria behind locked doors. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
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Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky holds up binders, a reference to his recent 13-hour filibuster, as he speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, Maryland March 14, 2013. (Photo: Kevin Lamarque/ REUTERS)
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U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) (C) departs after a full-Senate briefing by Director of the National Security Agency General Keith Alexander (not pictured), at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, June 13, 2013. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS)
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U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) takes the stage to speak at the Tea Party Patriots 'Exempt America from Obamacare' rally on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, September 10, 2013. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS)
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U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) leaves the Senate chamber after fellow Republican Ted Cruz (R-TX) held a marathon attack on "Obamacare" at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, September 25, 2013. (Photo: Jason Reed/REUTERS)
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U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) (C) and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (at right) listen to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan during the U.S. vice-presidential debate in Danville, Kentucky, October 11, 2012. (Photo: John Gress/REUTERS)
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Sen.-elect Rand Paul, R-Ky. awaits an interview in Bowling Green, Ky., Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010. (Photo: Ed Reinke/AP Photo)
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Rand Paul (2nd R) celebrates his win with his wife Kelley Paul in the Senate Republican primary election in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at Bowling Green Country Club May 18, 2010. Rand Paul, a doctor and son of libertarian Republican Representative Ron Paul, beat Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson for the Republican nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat in a race seen as an early test of the strength of the movement. (Photo: Jake Stevens/REUTERS)
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Kentucky Senate Senator Rand Paul joins the 2016 presidential campaign
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul raises his wife Kelley's hand as they celebrate his victory in Bowling Green, Ky., Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010. (Photo: Ed Reinke/AP Photo)
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Rand Paul gives his victory speech after winning the Senate Republican primary election in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at Bowling Green Country Club May 18, 2010. Rand Paul was surrounded by family and friends including his father libertarian Republican Representative Ron (3rd R) and wife Kelley (back, in pink). Rand Paul, a doctor, beat Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson for the Republican nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat in a race seen as an early test of the strength of the movement. (Photo: Jake Stevens/REUTERS)
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Senator Rand Paul addresses a tea party rally in Shepherdsville, Ky.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul addresses a tea party rally in Shepherdsville, Ky., Thursday, July 1, 2010. (Photo: Ed Reinke/AP Photo)
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