Sen. Rand Paul backs Sowards

KRQE TV

Updated: May 2, 2012 3:54 PM

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Republican Senate candidate Greg Sowards has landed an endorsement from Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a favorite of the tea party.

Sowards campaign announced the endorsement on Wednesday in a move to energize conservative and tea party activists in New Mexico's open U.S. Senate race.

The Las Cruces businessman is running against former Congresswoman Heather Wilson for the GOP nomination for a Senate seat being vacated by five-term Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman. Congressman Martin Heinrich and State Auditor Hector Balderas are seeking the Democratic nomination.

Paul said in a statement that Sowards supports a plan he has introduced in the Senate for balancing the federal budget over five years. That proposal includes revamping Medicare and Social Security, and eliminating several federal agencies including the Education Department.

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