Rep. Peter King’s making a play for the heart of the GOP.
The Republican lawmaker and potential 2016 contender plans to announce the creation of his very own Political Action Committee, NBC News reports, in a presumed effort to both advance more moderate candidates, and elevate his own profile ahead of the next election cycle.
King will unveil “American Leadership Now” on Monday at a fundraising event in the early-voting state of New Hampshire.
Though federal regulations would prevent King from using any money raised by his PAC for his own campaign, the New York lawmaker has said he’s “serious” about exploring a run for the White House. King has also voiced some harsh words for the Tea Party faction of party, currently at odds with the House leadership over the budget.
Over the summer, King, a long-time foreign policy hawk, blasted another prospective 2016 candidate, Sen. Rand Paul, for his isolationist views. Speaking to CNN, King said Paul’s stance reminded him of those “saying we should appease Hitler,” and warned it would hurt the party for years.
Emma Margolin
Emma Margolin is a reporter at MSNBC.com.