GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A recent poll suggests if there's one GOP candidate who could beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in Michigan, it would be U.S. Sen. Rand Paul.

It's why the Republican presidential hopeful plans a second trip to the state in as many as two months. Michigan hasn't gone red in a general election year since 1988, but Paul says efforts to court voters begins now.

"We think Michigan is one of those states where to win, you have to get the African American vote, the working class vote," said Paul, speaking Thursday with MLive and The Grand Rapids Press.

"It's going to take a different kind of Republican."

Paul, a U.S. Senator from Kentucky, will embark on several "Stand with Rand" events beginning Friday in Highland Park, with stops in Shelby Charter Township, Flint, Dewitt and Holland. U.S. Rep. Justin Amash will greet Paul on his last stop as he did during a May trip to Grand Rapids.

Clinton will visit the state later in the month.

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The June poll placed Paul in the middle of a crowded field of Republican presidential candidates, but he proved to be the strongest when matched against Clinton. Paul trailed her by 3 percentage points.

His strategy seems to go after who could be Clinton's greatest ally, her husband.

"I will campaign in Detroit, and I'll tell them [Bill] Clinton's (drug) policies have incarcerated a whole generation of young black men. ... That's not the way I see justice in this country," said Paul, making similar comments in regard to inner-city issues as he did during his first stop in Grand Rapids.

Paul asserts he has at least 10 bills that support criminal justice reform. One would eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines to give judges greater discretion. Another would begin to reform education, allowing children -- especially minority and lower-income children -- to have a choice on where to go to school using a federal voucher system.

Paul also pledges support for Detroit through the establishment of "economic freedom zones" and for working families, a flat tax - the latter of which has come under criticism for favoring the wealthy.

"Our flat tax has some unique aspects to it that helps the working class," Paul said. "It eliminates the payroll tax. (If you make) $40,000 a year, married with two kids, $2,000 is added back.

"Really, we think this is the first flat tax that aids everyone."

Regarding the Supreme Court's gay marriage decision and legislative proposals to protect rights on the grounds of religious freedom, Paul said he's always believed government should play no role in marriage.

Riding into Congress amid a 2010 wave of Tea Party Republican candidates, Paul has worked to differentiate himself from the pack and is considered a libertarian-leaning member.

It's that "L" word that places him among those who clash with others in their own party -- Amash included.

But, said Paul, "I think many people see the word 'libertarian' meaning moderate in the sense that it's not an extreme position to not spend money that doesn't come in. ... that only Congress should declare war."

"These are more moderate views than anything else."

Andrew Krietz covers breaking, politics and transportation news for MLive and The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at akrietz@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.