Kentucky Republicans line up behind Paul

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) will have the support of nearly all of the Kentucky GOP delegation, as he launches his bid for the White House. 

Kentucky GOP Reps. Thomas Massie, Andy Barr and Brett Guthrie told The Hill on Monday they will back Paul’s presidential run and will be on hand for his Tuesday announcement in Louisville.

A representative for Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) responded to a question about whether he would endorse Paul in 2016 by saying he would be at the launch event on Tuesday.

{mosads}Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) has a policy of not getting involved in primaries, but a representative said he wishes Paul well and will support whoever the eventual GOP nominee is.

In December, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he would “almost certainly” back Paul should he seek the White House, although it’s yet to be seen how active the Senate majority leader will be on the campaign trail.

“I’m going to be helpful to him in any way I can be,” McConnell said at the time. “But I’m not going to be tromping around in New Hampshire and Iowa. I can tell you that.”

Paul provided crucial support to McConnell’s 2014 reelection as he faced a Tea Party challenger. 

With the majority of Kentucky Republicans in his pocket, Paul will be looking for support on Capitol Hill from those outside of his home state, and particularly in early voting states.

National Journal reported on Monday that Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho) and Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) will support Paul and will appear with him at rallies later this week.

Paul is expected to announce his bid for the White House on Tuesday in Kentucky and will follow that up with trips to New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa and Nevada.

— This story was updated at 8:36 a.m.