Rand Paul who called gay marriage a ‘moral crisis’ announces presidential campaign
Republican Rand Paul, who earlier this year said same-sex marriage was “a moral crisis” has announced his intention to launch a 2016 bid to become president.
The Kentucky Senator – who earlier this year claimed it was offensive to refer to same-sex marriage as same-sex marriage – made the controversial comments ahead of a private prayer breakfast with religious leaders.
“I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government,” he said in a statement on his website.
Paul is set to make the announcement personally in Kentucky later on Tuesday, and joins Senator Ted Cruz who has also announced his intention to launch a campaign.
Rand Paul is the son of former Republican and Libertarian candidate Ron Paul, who has unsuccessfully run for President in 1988, 2008 and 2012.
He said previously of equal marriage: “We didn’t have to call it marriage, which offends myself and a lot of people.
“But I think competing contracts that would give them equivalency before the law would have solved a lot of these problems and it may be where we’re still headed.”
Despite his claims, the Republican party has long opposed not just same-sex marriage, but also any form of civil union that recognises same-sex couples.
