Paul dynasty

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Another Paul son is mulling a Senate run

Ron Paul addresses the crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference. | AP Photo

Ron Paul could see a second son run for Congress. | AP PhotoClose

By JENNIFER EPSTEIN | 4/15/11 8:42 AM EDT Updated: 4/15/11 11:05 AM EDT

Could there soon be a third member of the libertarian Paul family in Congress?

Robert Paul, a doctor who lives in Fort Worth, is saying maybe, telling a newspaper that he has "thought about running" for the seat representing Texas in the Senate that is being vacated by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is not running for reelection.

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One of Rep. Ron Paul's (R-Texas) five children, Robert would become the second Paul offspring to run for Congress, joining brother Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who was elected last year.

In an interview with the Star-Telegram published Thursday, Robert Paul acknowledged that he is considering a bid but hasn't decided whether to run. "I am very happy as a physician," he said.

But, he said, concerns about federal spending could draw him into the race. "[I] have a lot of concern about the debt," he said. Internet speculation that the younger Texas Paul might run for Senate began spreading soon after Hutchison announced that she would not seek another term. He is set to speak at the University of North Texas next Thursday.

Rep. Ron Paul's communications director, Rachel Mills, told POLITICO that the elder Paul "hasn't heard anything about it," referring to his son's possible run.

Unlike others thinking about running for the Senate seat, though, Paul hasn't started fundraising. Two Republican contenders have raised more than $1 million each, and two others have raked in more than $500,000.