The Latest Dispatches From the Campaign Trail

Following Ted Cruz’s official entry into the race for the GOP presidential nomination next year, Rand Paul is expected to launch his own campaign in early April with a rally in his home state of Kentucky followed by a tour of early nomination contest states.

Here are the dates:

April 7: Louisville, Ky.

April 8: Milford, N.H.

April 9: Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

April 10: Iowa City, Iowa

April 11: Nevada (city TBD)

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And then there’s this from another potential presidential rival.

The Rick Perry-affiliated RickPAC is going up with this web video featuring the former Texas governor’s trip to Iowa, a key early presidential caucus state:

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Cruz, meanwhile, is returning home next week to show off the headquarters of his newly minted presidential campaign in Houston.

In an email to supporters Wednesday, Cruz's team said the senator would be on hand Tuesday for an open house at the office. The Texas Republican also is scheduled to headline a fundraiser Tuesday in Houston.

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State Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, wasted no time this week in giving Cruz her endorsement for president. She was an early supporter of his run for the Senate. He repaid the kindness by making her one of the few recipients of his full-fledged endorsement during last year’s primary contests.

So with that in mind, here’s what Burton had to say about Cruz’s run for president:

"I'm all in for Ted Cruz. ... We need the next generation of conservative leaders to stand up and take our country back. I'm proud to stand with Ted Cruz in his effort to be our nation's next President.”