2012 Republican primary campaign left|thumb|Paul speaking at a rally at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, March 2012 Paul won several early straw polls for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination and formed an official exploratory committee in late April 2011. He participated in the first Republican presidential debate on May 5, 2011 and on May 13, 2011, formally announced his candidacy in an interview on ABC's Good Morning America. He placed second in the 2011 Ames Straw Poll, missing first by 0.9%. Paul indicated in a June 2011 interview that if nominated, he would consider former New Jersey Superior Court judge Andrew Napolitano as his running mate.
2012 Republican primary campaign left|thumb|Paul speaking at a rally at Lindenwood University in St Charles Missouri March 2012 Paul won several early straw polls for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination and formed an official exploratory committee in late April 2011 He participated in the first Republican presidential debate on May 5 2011 and on May 13 2011 formally announced his candidacy in an interview on ABC's Good Morning America He placed second in the 2011 Ames Straw Poll missing first by 09% Paul indicated in a June 2011 interview that if nominated he would consider former New Jersey Superior Court judge Andrew Napolitano as his running mate