Texas Republican Congressman Ron Paul spent Thursday campaigning in South Carolina, where the Republican presidential hopeful said he expects to secure a victory in the upcoming key presidential primary.
The Texas congressman, who finished second in New Hampshire’s primary and third in the Iowa caucus, said he hopes to carry some of that momentum into the Palmetto State, where polls show him trialing former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
“We’re on the move,” Mr. Paul said at a rally in West Columbia, South Carolina. “We have a set of principles we will defend.”
“The numbers grew exponentially in New Hampshire, and the numbers are going to grow continuously here in South Carolina,” the Texas Republican added.
Mr. Paul’s stop in South Carolina comes as the Texas congressman has sought to increase his base of support beyond a small devoted following. Speaking to supporters in South Carolina on Thursday, Mr. Paul said the latest election results show his network of supporters growing, a move that could jolt him into competition with Mr. Romney later this year.
That said, South Carolina could be a sort of last stand for Mr. Paul. The Texas Republican has vowed to campaign in the state, however, his campaign said earlier this week that they will bypass campaigning in Florida, which maintains one of the largest bloc of Republican delegates. Mr. Paul’s campaign said it plans on competing hard in smaller, upcoming caucus states like Nevada, Louisiana and Maine, where support is widespread for the libertarian.
Speaking Thursday, the Texas Republican told voters in South Carolina to expect a campaign similar to that seen in New Hampshire. Mr. Paul said he would continue with unconventional tactics in order to build support ahead of next week’s election, which he said should spur voters to “send a message.”
“We are going to be very, very busy and involved and we’re getting ready to send this message because it’s becoming a national message. Because we have to change what is happening,” said Mr. Paul. “They ought to be looking out because we’re coming. And we’re going to deliver this message [of] … peace and prosperity.”
