At the same time, Paul's intervention in Wyoming is a strike on the GOP's more hawkish wing, and on the neoconservatives the Cheney family became identified with. In 2013, when his national star power was at its height, Paul endorsed Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) against a primary challenge from Liz Cheney. Paul said that his endorsement of Christensen was positive and record-based but added that it would be a mistake for the state to be represented by "someone who hasn't lived there for a long time" — an argument often deployed against Cheney.

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"When you look at the record of the Cheneys, you see the philosophy that deficits don't matter," Paul said. "You see defenders of an imperial presidency, one where there are no limits on the executive if war breaks out. The Cheneys have been champions of intervention in Libya, Syria and Iraq, places where our military presence made things worse."

During his unsuccessful bid for the 2016 presidential nomination, Paul courted libertarian voters in Wyoming and hoped they could form a plurality in a divided field. He was endorsed by Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), whose retirement opened up the seat for this primary. Indeed, after Paul dropped out, the state's libertarian voters generally gravitated to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), who won nearly every delegate in a two-step caucus/convention process.

Paul had not endorsed Cruz, focusing on rebuilding relationships in the Senate and trying to block some military funding to Saudi Arabia. The Christensen endorsement is one of his first forays back into national party politics; he took his time to endorse, Paul explained, because he wanted to see Christensen work the state first and establish himself as the most electable non-Cheney candidate.

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But on Sunday night, Paul also reiterated his support for the party's presidential nominee.