U.S. Sen. Rand Paul cruises to GOP nomination over two unknowns

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul easily defeated two little-known challengers Tuesday to win his second Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

The Bowling Green ophthalmologist had captured 83 percent of the vote with 9 percent of precincts reporting. Paul’s challengers — retired Navy veteran James R. Gould of Lexington and chemical engineer Stephen Howard Slaughter of Louisville — trailed significantly.

After abandoning his bid to run for president in early February, Paul refocused on his re-election campaign. Paul reported raising more than $1.5 million in the first quarter. In addition, at least two independent groups — Concerned American Voters and America’s Liberty PAC — have said they will spend money on Paul’s race.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 7:14 PM with the headline "U.S. Sen. Rand Paul cruises to GOP nomination over two unknowns."