Rand Paul Picks Up Another Iowa Faith Leader’s Endorsement

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has been saying for the past several weeks the Republican Party presidential nomination is nowhere near decided.

While we’ll know for sure next Monday night—or no later than very early Tuesday morning—whether he will have a role to play in that decision, he’s at least making things interesting in Iowa. Monday night, he added just a little more intrigue to the race by announcing yet another Iowa faith leader’s endorsement.

The newest addition to Paul’s faith leadership team is Josh Davenport, pastor of Unionville Baptist Church in Unionville, Iowa, located about 10 miles northeast of Centerville in southern Iowa’s Appanoose County:

“As we approach the 2016 Iowa Caucuses, I am publicly and formally endorsing Senator Rand Paul as my choice to be the Republican nominee for this year’s Presidential election.  I am a native Iowan and even though I am a pastor here in Iowa and have also been active within the Republican Party of Iowa from various leadership positions. I am not giving an endorsement on behalf of any church, organization or Party committee. I am endorsing Rand Paul because I personally believe he is the best person for the job.

“I ask you to please join me in supporting Rand Paul for President in the days and months ahead. We must reject this rock-star, popularity culture mindset and vote for someone based upon their principles. The Bible says that “righteousness exalteth a nation” and I can’t think of anything more nationally righteous than for us to elect a president who will fight to protect our freedom of religion and will hold to a simple Biblical view of limited government.

“In a day where it seems like anyone will say anything to get anywhere, it is encouraging to see a candidate who has a proven track record of not wavering, who understands the principles that must be followed and who has a plan to reign in the power of the government so that ‘We the People’ can make America great again.”

Paul, who skipped the most recent debate on FOX Business Network because he was going to be relegated to the “early debate,” has seen his polling numbers continue to climb in Iowa. His current Real Clear Politics polling average in the first-in-the-nation caucus state has climbed to 3.8 percent, which puts him in fifth place, ahead of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Paul’s campaign has asked FOX News to allow him back on the main stage for the next debate, noting that he is in the top five in all of the most recent Iowa polls that meet the consideration criteria. His chief strategist, Doug Stafford, issued the following statement Tuesday morning:

“It is clear that Sen. Paul has been solidly within the top 5 in Iowa for many weeks, this despite a virtual media blackout in Iowa and being banned from the main stage last debate. Without question, Sen. Paul deserves to be in the next debate. It would be a travesty to exclude him again when it should be clear to everyone now that what we have be saying all along is true: Rand is a top five candidate with a top-tier campaign.”