By RONNIE ELLIS
FRANKFORT — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced her support for Rand Paul in the Kentucky Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in a statement released by her spokeswoman Monday afternoon.
"I'm proud to support great grassroots candidates like Dr. Paul. While there are issues we disagree on, he and I are both in agreement that it's time to shake up the status quo in Washington and stand up for common sense ideas," Palin said through Meghan Stapleton, senior advisor and spokeswoman for the Palin family and Palin’s political action committee, SarahPAC.
Earlier Paul’s campaign manager, David Adams, produced a copy of the check to Paul’s campaign from SarahPAC for $2,000 and an accompanying letter, both signed by Tom Crawford who is listed as treasurer for the PAC.
“On behalf of Governor Palin who knows how important your election is to Kentucky and the Republican Party. Here is our investment in your campaign from SarahPAC,” Crawford’s letter stated. The word “endorse” does not appear in the letter, but Adams said, “All I can say is that her check is good.”
The Grayson campaign released its own endorsement announcement – 28 Kentucky state lawmakers including most of the Senate and several House members. Among them were Sen. Tom Jensen, R-London, Sen. Vernie McGaha, R-Somerset, and Rep. Marie Rader, R-McKee. Neither House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown, or Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, were on the list.
Paul – in a telephone interview Monday – said he is “quite excited” about Palin’s support.
“It’s further evidence of conservatives coalescing around our campaign,” Paul said. He said he had not spoken with Palin but his staff had been in contact with hers, exchanging information on positions. He said there are no plans at the present for Palin to come to Kentucky to campaign on his behalf.
“I would love to have her come and we will continue to have conversations,” Paul said.
Grayson campaign manager Nate Hodson issued a statement from Grayson who said he “has a great deal of admiration for Governor Palin.” But it went on to say “if Governor Palin knew Rand Paul’s true colors” on such issues as abortion, repatriation of captured terrorists and the war in Afghanistan she might not support Paul’s “misguided agenda.”
Elkton businessman and navy veteran Bill Johnson, Gurley Martin of Owensboro, Jon Scribner of Gray, and John Stephenson of Ft. Mitchell are the other Republican candidates in the race.
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.
