Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a self-described libertarian, endorsed on Tuesday libertarian former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson in his Senate bid instead of his Republican competitor Mick Rich.
Paul said in a news release that he was putting his weight behind his fellow libertarian a day before candidates are able to withdraw their names from the general election ballot, the Associated Press reports.
[Opinion: Rand Paul endorses Gary Johnson, puts principles over party]
Johnson, who failed in his 2016 third-party presidential campaign, shares ideals with Paul of limited government, and Paul said Johnson was a “true fiscal conservative.” Johnson served as governor as a member of the Republican Party.
“His leadership on issues of government overreach, protecting Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights against mass surveillance, and common sense foreign policy is sorely needed,” Paul said in his Tuesday statement.
Those who support Johnson have been pressuring Rich to drop out of the race against Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich, and a poll conducted through Emerson College showed Johnson leading Rich among Republicans.
Paul was a Republican primary candidate for a presidential bid in 2016.
