Kentucky Senator Rand Paul says he hopes Tennessee’s Lamar Alexander wins re-election, despite Tea Party groups who want to challenge the state’s senior Senator. But Paul is hedging when asked if he would officially endorse his GOP colleague.
Sen. Lamar Alexander speaks alongside Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky State Rep. Jim DeCesare, Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell, and Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman. Paul and Alexander are sponsoring legislation that will make it easier for states to set up charter schools. Image: Bradley George/WPLN
Paul and Alexander have been spending a lot of time together over the past few months. In February, the two joined forces to stop restrictions on fishing below Corps of Engineers dams. Footage of Paul from that event was used in Alexander campaign commercial.
At the time, Paul said the ad was not an official endorsement. Appearing alongside the Senator again today, Paul said he didn’t want to get into what he called “political games.”
“I hate to be painted as ‘I came here and I’m not endorsing him,'” Paul said just before a charter school roundtable at KIPP Academy. “I think that’s the wrong message to send. I’m very supportive of Senator Alexander and I hope he doesn’t get an opponent. I really do. I hope he wins re-election.”
Paul is a Tea Party favorite, but activists in Tennessee are irked by Lamar Alexander’s record. They’re looking for a primary challenger to Alexander. So far, no one has come forward.
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