Rand (Randal Howard) Paul is a practicing ophthalmologist (eye doctor) in Bowling Green, Kentucky, who has long been active in conservative politics, but has never held elected office before.
Paul kicked off his grassroots US Senate primary campaign with an online "money bomb" in August 2009, raising $433,509 in 24 hours - a record for a Kentucky pol. The son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul of Texas scored an easy victory in the Senate race against Democrat Jack Conway, with 56 percent of the vote on Nov. 2.
Rand Paul opposed the bank and auto industry government bailouts and opposes abortion. He supports a balanced budget amendment. Paul's for local control of education and has said that he would eliminate the federal Department of Education. He supports more border security and opposes birthright citizenship for children of immigrants born in the US.
