Rand Paul suspends U.S. presidential bid, to focus on re-election to senate

Senator Rand Paul has withdrawn from the race for president of the United States, after placing a disappointing fifth at the recent Iowa caucus elections of the Republican party.

Paul had before now repeatedly clashed with his Republican rivals over their views on foreign policy and their support of government surveillance. Paul, who represents Kentucky in the U.S. senate, is seen as representing the Libertarian wing of the party, which promotes individual rights and privacy.

He ended his bid for the presidency on Wednesday and announced he would now concentrate on winning re-election into the the U.S. Senate.

“Across the country thousands upon thousands of people flocked to our message of limited government, privacy, criminal justice reform and a reasonable foreign policy,” he said.

“Although, today I will suspend my campaign for president, the fight is far from over.”

Rand Paul has said in the past that he is the right candidate to “stand up to both the right and the left”. In 2015, he was described by Time magazine as “the most interesting man in politics”.

There are now 10 Republicans left in the White House race, down from the original 17. Billionaire businessman Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are presently at the forefront of the contest which also features famous surgeon, Ben Carson.

Story: BBC