Rand Paul announces endorsements from across Iowa

Presidential candidate Rand Paul on Monday announced an “Iowa leadership team” featuring endorsements from all 99 counties in the state and a handful of statewide Republican leaders.

Paul, a libertarian-leaning U.S. senator from Kentucky, has struggled to gain traction in the presidential race so far.

As state co-chairs, Paul named David Fischer, Steve Sukup and Diane Holst. Fischer is a veteran of two presidential campaigns run by Paul’s father, former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul. Sukup is an owner of Sukup Manufacturing, a farm equipment company, and a former state lawmaker. Holst is a Scott County supervisor.

Also backing Paul now is Craig Lang, a former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau and member of the Iowa Board of Regents.

“The Rand Paul for President Iowa Leadership team is active and growing,” Paul’s chief Iowa strategist, Steve Grubbs, said in a statement. “With the help of co-chairs representing 99 counties, we are on track to have most precinct captains in place by caucus night.”