ERIK SCHELZIG,Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kentucky's Rand Paul says he's "very supportive" of fellow U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, but is stopping short of endorsing the Tennessee Republican up for re-election next year.
Alexander's campaign has been working to fend off potential primary challengers from the right.
His first TV ad of the campaign features Paul, a tea party favorite, in the two senators' role in halting an Army Corps of Engineers plan to erect barriers to prevent people from fishing below dams on the Cumberland River. The spot includes video of Paul saying: "Nobody wants to say no to Lamar Alexander."
Paul told reporters on Monday that he hopes Alexander doesn't draw an opponent and that he is re-elected. But he said he doesn't want to be "trapped" into making an endorsement.
