Rand Paul reportedly hires campaign manager for possible 2016 White House run

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has hired a campaign manager in preparation for a possible White House bid in 2016, according to a published report.

The Washington Post reported late Tuesday that Paul had announced the hiring of Chip Englander, who most recently oversaw Bruce Rauner's successful campaign for Illinois governor. Citing people familiar with the hire, the paper reported that Englander would officially hold the title of senior adviser at Paul's political action committee. However, those people also said that the 33-year-old Englander had been assured that he will take over operation of the campaign once Paul talks the matter out with his family.

"America has intractable problems and it’s going to take a transformational leader to fix them," Englander told the Post. "Senator Paul is going to be the bold, transformational figure in this race.

The reported hire comes as Paul's potential rivals for the Republican nomination begin jostling for position. The Post reported Monday that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the GOP's nominee in 2012, had begun reaching out to former advisers, donors, and allies about the possibility of a third presidential bid. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who filed paperwork to form a political action committee last week, will travel to California later this week for fundraising events.

A memo sent to Paul donors and allies touted Englander as a man who had helped elect a Republican governor in President Barack Obama's home state, which the president "won by 25 [percentage points in the 2008 election]". The memo also said Englander "drew in new types of voters to win the state, including winning a majority of moderates, unprecedented for a Republican." Rauner defeated incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn, who was running for a second term.

Paul is scheduled to visit two states with early primary contests later this week. On Wednesday, he will travel to New Hampshire, with a stay in Nevada planned for Friday and Saturday.

Click for more from The Washington Post.