Rand Paul 2016: Kentucky Republican Visiting Key Primary States; Will He Run For President?

Supporters of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., may finally get their wish. The Bowling Green, Ky. ophthalmologist-turned-Tea Party leader whose tenure in the Senate has been marked by numerous high-profile motions and accomplishments, including a 'real' filibuster, is making plans to allegedly run for the office President of the United States.

Seen as much more socially conservative than his understatedly libertarian father, and perennial presidential contender himself, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, Rand Paul's candidacy would likely bring more widespread support across the conservative spectrum than Congressman Paul's has in the past.

Most recently, Rand Paul was the initiator and main participant in a nearly day-long filibuster of the confirmation of CIA Director John Brennan. After making headlines for staying in the Senate chamber longer than most legislators, Paul will reportedly be making the rounds outside of the District of Columbia. On his summer itinerary are Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the first caucus and first two primary states in the 2016 elections. While many Republicans and conservatives are reeling from 2012 losses, Rand Paul has decided to get an early start on the 2016 race.

At a recent breakfast event, Rand Paul spoke out on many of the important issues 2016 candidates will likely have to cover. He declared his support for the dismissal of 'gun free zones' around schools, saying educators and others should be able to carry weapons if they choose, in order to protect their students. Many have said that a 'gun free zone' in any regard can be seen as an advertisement to criminals that nobody in the vicinity will put up armed resistance to an attack.

He also spoke about recent immigration reform legislation: "I'm looking for a way to get more of the Republican Party to come over and embrace immigration reform," Paul said at the breakfast, sponsored by the "Christian Science Monitor".

Though Rand Paul is not officially in the presidential race as of yet, the 50-year-old father of three said he is "considering it," saying "we won't make a decision before 2014."

Rand Paul joins Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La. and former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., in the elite group of Republicans already thinking about 2016. Santorum is the only one of the unofficial four that has run for president in the past, finishing a close second to former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., after bowing out just prior to the close of the Pennsylvania Republican primary in April 2012.