Rand Paul to join 2016 hopefuls at Faith & Freedom forum

Rand Paul is the latest Republican presidential hopeful to sign on for the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's kickoff event this Saturday in Waukee, the group's president confirmed Monday.

He'll also speak earlier in the day at stops in Vinton and Grinnell, the campaign said.

Paul, an announced candidate and U.S. senator from Kentucky, will speak alongside these other Republican aspirants: Rick Perry, Marco Rubio, Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, Bobby Jindal, Carly Fiorina, Scott Walker and Rick Santorum.

Paul has so far avoided cattle-call gatherings of presidential aspirants in Iowa, including January's Iowa Freedom Summit and the Iowa Ag Summit in March. The trip marks Paul's return to the state following his campaign's Iowa kick-off in Iowa City on April 10.

Before the forum, Paul will speak at 11:30 at the American Legion Hall (105 N.R Ave) in Vinton. Later, at 2:30, he'll speak at the Drake Community Library (930 Park St.) in Grinnell.

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The coalition's annual event, now in its 15th year, will take place at Point of Grace Church, 305 NE Dartmoor Drive, with a reception starting at 4 p.m. and the program at 5 p.m. Tickets for the free event are available at ffciowa.com.

The coalition bills itself as "a grassroots organization that works to educate and equip Christians for effective civic action and influence sound public policy that advances limited government, lower taxes, and the sanctity of life and marriage."