Paul
Cuccinelli
CHANTILLY, Va. (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Sen. Rand Paul announced his support Thursday for Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in his bid to become the state's next governor.
The junior Kentucky senator, a conservative Republican like Cuccinelli, made the announcement at the Liberty Political Action Conference, held in Chantilly, Va.
Paul, the son of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, helped kick off the three-day conference Thursday night.
"I am proud today to announce my endorsement of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli for governor of Virginia," Paul told the audience, according to Politico blogger Alexander Burns.
"Ken has been a key leader nationally in the fight against unconstitutional overreaches of the federal government. He has been a true and consistent champion of liberty and as governor will work to preserve and protect the principles our nation was founded on."
Cuccinelli said he was "honored" to receive Paul's endorsement.
"Sen. Paul has been a true leader in the Senate in the fight for liberty. His work to rein in federal spending and fighting for our nation's Founding Principles has been exemplary," the attorney general said, according to Politico.
"I cannot thank Sen. Paul enough for his gracious support. Sen. Paul and I share the goal of defeating President Obama in November, and when we accomplish that goal, I look forward to his help in making sure that we are victorious in 2013."
According to the LPAC's website, Cuccinelli will be the final speaker of the conference, which ends Saturday.
He is facing Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling for the GOP nomination.
Bolling, who was elected to the post in 2005, has been endorsed by Gov. Bob McDonnell, who cannot run for reelection.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.