Mitch McConnell: ‘Almost certainly’ endorsing Rand Paul in 2016

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he’ll “almost certainly” be endorsing the would-be 2016 presidential campaign of his fellow Kentuckian Sen. Rand Paul, just a few election cycles removed from when Mr. McConnell was supporting Mr. Paul’s primary opponent in 2010.

“I’m a big fan of his,” Mr. McConnell told CNN. “I mean, we started off on opposite paths, but we’ve become great allies — I’m a big fan of his, I think he’s a very, very smart, capable guy.

“I’m going to be helpful to him in any way I can be, but I’m not going to be tromping around in New Hampshire and Iowa, I can tell you that,” Mr. McConnell said, adding that he’ll “almost certainly” be endorsing him at some point (he has already endorsed Mr. Paul’s Senate re-election bid).

Shortly after the 2014 midterms, Mr. McConnell also told the Lexington Herald-Leader that Mr. Paul would be able to count on him in a similar capacity; in 2010, he had backed Mr. Paul’s opponent, Trey Grayson, in the Senate GOP primary.

“Whatever he decides to do,” Mr. McConnell said then. “I don’t think he’s made a final decision on that. But he’ll be able to count on me.”