ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican Senate candidate Kurt Bills is off to Washington on a trip that includes a fundraiser held by Texas Rep. Ron Paul and his son, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

Bills is an underdog against first-term Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and money is a big reason why. At last report, she had $5.5 million in her campaign account compared to his $65,000.

He won the Minnesota GOP’s endorsement this spring, in part by tapping into a base of Ron Paul supporters at the state party convention. Paul is the libertarian-style Republican who ran for president again this year.

A spokesman for Bills said donors at Tuesday’s fundraiser are being asked for $350 each, with a five-figure overall goal for the event.

Bills was due to return to Minnesota on Thursday.

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