Rand Paul's political life

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul delivers remarks while announcing his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination during an event in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday, April 7.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul and his wife, Kelley, wave to supporters in Louisville on April 7.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul speaks in Rochester, New Hampshire, prior to meeting potential voters in March.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul walks on stage before speaking at the Values Voter Summit in Washington in September.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul attends a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Syria in September.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul speaks at a news conference in June about the U.S. role in Syria.

Rand Paul's political life

Speaking at the University of California at Berkeley in March 2014, Paul speaks on the issues of privacy and curtailing domestic surveillance.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul addresses the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference, where he easily won the presidential straw poll.

Rand Paul's political life

From left, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand and Paul attend a March 2014 news conference to announce a new medical marijuana bill at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Rand Paul's political life

In February 2014, Paul announced that he was suing President Barack Obama and top national security officials over the government's electronic surveillance program made public by intelligence leaker Edward Snowden.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul leaves the Capitol in March 2013 after staging a filibuster over the nomination of CIA Director John Brennan.

Rand Paul's political life

Ethics laws prevent senators from accepting payment for any job other that their duties in Washington. So Paul, a veteran eye surgeon, performs pro-bono procedures to keep current on his practice.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul speaks in Bowie, Maryland, in March 2013 during a discussion on reforming the criminal justice system.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul and his father speak with supporters in Ames, Iowa, before the start of a 2012 presidential campaign event.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul boards an elevator after attending a Republican caucus meeting in Washington in July 2011.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul unveils his own version of the federal budget during a news conference in March 2011.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul speaks to hometown supporters in Bowling Green, Kentucky, during his campaign for the Senate in November 2010.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul and his family celebrate his 2010 Senate victory during an election night party in Bowling Green.

Rand Paul's political life

Coming from his son's soccer game, Paul wears shorts and a suit jacket while preparing for his guest spot on a Fox News television program in May 2010.

Rand Paul's political life

Paul waits to tour a mine in Pineville, Kentucky, in May 2010.