( CNN ) Rand Paul kicks off his Texas swing this weekend with a top endorsement and a key addition to his political operation , announcing that Texas GOP Chairman Steve Munisteri will become an adviser to Paul 's team . As campaigns start taking shape ahead of the 2016 Republican presidential race , Paul 's alliance with Munisteri is notable given the throng of other potential contenders with ties to Texas , a state rich in campaign cash . Munisteri will resign his role with the state party on Friday to join Team Rand , he said in a statement issued on Thursday . The Wall Street Journal first reported the story on Thursday evening . As chairman since 2010 , Munisteri will bring with him a sizable rolodex and intricate knowledge of the reliably red state.Texas is expected to hold its primary on March 1 , 2016 , and given the crowded field of potential candidates , it could play an influential role in the contest for the Republican nomination . Munisteri said he 's supporting Paul , whom he ' known for 33 years , in part because of the Kentucky Republican 's strategy to court nontraditional GOP voters , like African-Americans and young people , according to The Wall Street Journal . `` Paul shares my vision of promoting the conservative values of individual freedom , limited government , a strong national defense and defense of the Constitution in each and every community in our country , '' the chairman said . Munisteri gained a reputation for being fair and inclusive , said Dallas County GOP Wade Emmert , who 's running to replace the chairman . `` This is a real coup for Rand Paul , '' Emmert said , noting that Munisteri brings `` instant credibility '' in Texas . While Paul was raised in Texas and attended Baylor University -- his father , ex-Rep. Ron Paul , represented a district near of Houston for 23 years -- a number of his potential contenders also have deep roots in the Lone Star State . Rick Perry , for example , just stepped down as the state 's longest serving governor . Munisteri backed Perry 's presidential bid in 2012 . Sen. Ted Cruz won a longshot victory in a heated Texas primary battle nearly three years ago and has since become a conservative firebrand in Congress . ( Paul 's campaign recently nabbed Cruz 's digital strategist , Vincent Harris . ) Former Florida Gov . Jeb Bush was also raised in Texas , and his son , George P. Bush , recently won statewide office as Texas Land Commissioner , while his brother , former President George W. Bush , served as governor of the state before Perry . SEE ALSO : Hillary Clinton is beating Mitt Romney on Twitter . Even Chris Christie has slipped into the Texas mix , with his now famous adoration for the Dallas Cowboys and cozy friendship with owner Jerry Jones . Christie also recently hired Ray Washburne , a Texas local and former national finance chairman for the Republican National Committee , for his own political action committee . And renowned retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson recently hired attorney Terry Giles from Houston . Paul , however , has signaled that he 'll be vying for as much attention as he can get in Texas . He 's set to open an office in Austin , and he 's returning to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area this weekend to speak at a Dallas County GOP event on Friday , followed by a Tarrant County GOP event on Saturday . He spoke at the Texas GOP convention last June , and earlier in 2014 he challenged Lone State Republicans to push for expanding the party 's base . `` Texas will be a Democratic state within 10 years if you do n't change , '' he said .
Ron Paul 's plan is adding the Texas Republican candidate as an ally . It 's a notable day for Paul as he gears up to face a number of rivals with Texas ties in the 2016 Republican presidential race .