Rand Paul Endorses Mitt Romney for President

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced on Thursday night that he was backing former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts for the presidency. Paul had been a supporter of his father -- U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas -- but Romney has now clinched enough delegates to win the Republican nomination.

My first choice had always been my father, Rand Paul said in an appearance on Sean Hannitys show on Fox News on Thursday night. I campaigned for him when I was 11 years old. He's still my first pick. But now that the nominating process is over, tonight, I'm happy to announce that I'm going to be supporting Governor Mitt Romney."

Romney praised Rand Paul, whose name has garnered some buzz as a possible running mate on the Republican ticket.

I am honored to have earned the endorsement of Rand Paul, Romney said in a statement. Senator Paul has been a leading voice in the effort to scale back the size and reach of government and promote liberty. Over the past three and a half years, President Obama has made government more and more of a presence in our lives, and Americans cant afford four more years of the same failed policies. As president, I will reform the federal government and make it smaller, simpler and smarter. I am grateful for Senator Pauls support and look forward to working with him to get America back on the right track.