Rand Paul's decision to announce his presidential campaign in Kentucky highlights his decision to also run for re-election to his U.S. Senate seat.
Paul chose to announce his candidacy not in an early primary state or even his hometown of Bowling Green. He chose Louisville, the largest media market in a state that only has eight electoral votes, is reliably Republican in federal elections and is not a factor in the chaotic presidential primaries.
Western Kentucky University political science professor Scott Lasley said Paul's campaign will often keep him out of state and his event in Louisville helps him emphasize Kentucky. A spokesman for Paul's campaign said the decision to announce in Kentucky was to honor the friends and family who helped him get to this point.