Paul in Vegas, says hes not worried about Romneys presidential hopes

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said Friday he isnt worried about the prospect of third Mitt Romney presidential campaign because voters and former supporters are looking for somebody new in 2016.

Therell be a big spirited debate over whether or not hes had his chance, Paul said in an interview after chatting up diners at the Peppermill Restaurant, a popular Strip eatery.

Romney, a Mormon, won the GOP presidential caucus in Nevada in 2008 and in 2012, earning about 50 percent of the vote thanks in part to the states politically active members of the church. Pauls father, former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, came in second in 2008 and third in 2012.

Romney privately told fundraisers and supporters this past week that hes considering a third White House bid, which would shake up the GOP presidential contest. Hed compete most directly with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie if the two establishment hopefuls also jump into the race, which appears likely.

Rand Paul said he believes he can draw some of Nevadas Mormon vote if he runs for the GOP nomination because that churchs believers are conservative like him and they, too, may think Romneys time has passed.

I think theres a reasonable chance, even though Mormons may have a great affinity for Governor Romney, he said, They may say, You know what. There are other conservatives in the race that may be able to hold the banner better this time.

Pauls visit to Las Vegas comes two days after he toured New Hampshire, which holds the nations first primary. He said he plans to travel to Iowa on Feb. 7, visiting the state that holds the first caucus vote. Nevada, too, is one of the early voting states, holding the first presidential caucus in the West since 2008.

While in Las Vegas, Paul also met behind-the-scenes with potential financial backers, including a representative of the Fertitta brothers, Lorenzo and Frank, of Station Casinos and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Last week, Paul met Las Vegas Sands Corp. CEO and top GOP contributor Sheldon Adelson in Washington, D.C., where they both attended a Republican Jewish Coalition meeting, according to a GOP source.

Paul plans to meet voters at Renos Atlantis hotel-casino on Saturday. In Northern Nevada he will attend fundraisers for his victory committee, collecting money for his Senate re-election campaign. He also headlined a Friday night fundraiser in Las Vegas with the proceeds going to the Nevada Republican Party.

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Paul in Vegas, says hes not worried about Romneys presidential hopes