2016: Rand Paul Chief of Staff Moving to Campaign Role

In a sign that Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is laying the groundwork for a potential 2016 presidential run, his chief of staff is leaving Paul’s Senate office to run his political action committees and organize in the early primary states. 

The Hill noted Doug Stafford will run RAND PAC and his Senate campaign PAC (Paul will be up for re-election in 2016) in addition to running his “outreach and organization int he early-primary states.”

Another Paul adviser said this was a “part of a natural evolution for Rand’s team.”

Stafford, the chief of staff, will also reportedly handle “Paul’s political schedule and communications” and advise him on “strategic political decisions.”

Paul has openly said he was considering running for president in 2016 and his staff has been no less ambitious, wanting him to headline all three of the signature GOP dinners in the three early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Paul’s staff reportedly wanted Paul to headline Friday’s Silver Elephant Dinner in South Carolina.  But that speaking slot went to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).