Paul: Presidential choice not held back by law

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Thursday reiterated that a state law that bars him from simultaneously running for the Senate and the presidency will not stop his potential bid in 2016. 

“We do think about it, but ultimately it’s not something that will probably deter the process, if we make a decision,” he told The Associated Press.

The Kentucky senator, up for reelection in 2016, is still contemplating a presidential run.

{mosads}“I would just say it’s probably not a conclusion yet, but it is something that’s an ongoing discussion,” he said. 

Paul cited Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and former Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), who both mounted simulations bids for reelection and for the vice president. He maintains that federal law trumps state law when it comes to federal elections. 

“Can you really have equal application of federal law if someone like Paul Ryan or Joe Lieberman can run for two offices but in Kentucky you would be disallowed?” Paul said. 

“It seems like it might not be equal application of the law to do that. But that means involving a court, and I don’t think we’ve made a decision on that. I think the easier way is to clarify the law.”

With the backing of Paul, the Kentucky state Senate passed a bill that would clarify a law to allow federal candidates to run for more than one office simultaneously. However, the proposal stalled in the state House. 

Paul said his camp has not decided whether to mount a court challenge, “but that is an option.”

Paul has differed on the issue with another potential GOP candidate for president, Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.).

Both are up for reelection in 2016, and a similar state law in Florida bars Rubio from running for both offices at the same time. 

If he decides to run for president, Rubio has signaled he would sacrifice his Senate seat. He has said presidential candidates should not have an “exit strategy.”