Paul: Ex-aide Benton will play role in future plans

By Katie Glueck

12/9/14 11:55 AM EST

Updated 12/9/14 3:38 PM EST

Sen. Rand Paul says Jesse Benton, a former aide touched by scandal, will be involved in his political future, which is likely to include a presidential campaign.

Benton, who ran Pauls 2010 bid for the Senate, earlier this year stepped down from managing Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells reelection campaign over ties to a 2012 Iowa caucuses controversy.

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Paul defended Benton in an interview with WHAS11, an ABC affiliate in Kentucky, that was posted Monday.

Jesse is married to my niece and was a big help in the Kentucky election here in 2010 and a big help for Sen. McConnell, said Paul, the junior senator from the Bluegrass State. And, yes hell help us.

The Republicans political team did not immediately respond to a request for clarification on what that help entails, or whether Benton is an imminent hire.

Benton worked for Pauls father, former Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, during his 2008 and 2012 presidential bids.

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Paul: Ex-aide Benton will play role in future plans