Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Wednesday that he will support Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., if Comer launches a campaign for Kentucky governor in 2027, adding to the Republican support surrounding the congressman as he considers a bid.

Paul told the Washington Examiner that Comer has done a strong job as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and said he has heard significant discussion about a potential gubernatorial campaign. Paul also said he has not heard of other Republicans seriously considering the race at this point.

Comer has not formally announced his campaign, though he has indicated that he expects to make a decision after the 2026 midterm elections. The congressman has spent the past four years as one of the House GOP's most prominent investigators while leading the Oversight Committee, including its investigations involving former President Joe Biden and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The potential gubernatorial bid would also mark a return to Kentucky state politics for Comer. Before entering Congress, he served in the Kentucky House of Representatives and later as the state's agriculture commissioner. He previously sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2015, losing to Matt Bevin by fewer than 100 votes.

Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams has already ruled out his own gubernatorial bid and endorsed Comer. Comer has therefore emerged as a prominent potential Republican contender as the party prepares for an open race following Beshear's two terms in office.

On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and former state House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins are running to succeed Beshear. The Republican field remains unsettled, with several potential candidates weighing their options.

Paul said there is a “reasonable chance” Comer could avoid a competitive Republican primary if other potential candidates decline to enter the race. He pointed to the possibility of Republicans consolidating behind a single candidate rather than repeating the type of divided primary that preceded Beshear's 2019 victory.