GOP Rep. Launches PAC to 'Find Like-Minded Republicans' Who Don't Support Ideas of Ted Cruz, Rand Paul

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) has reportedly launched a political action committee that he says will allow him to "find like-minded Republicans" who do not support some of the ideas of conservative lawmakers like Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

King, who is reportedly considering a presidential run in 2016, told Politico the American Leadership Now PAC intends to highlight Republicans who are "moderate" on domestic issues and tough on foreign policy.

"It’s a vehicle that will enable me to go around the country to try to find like-minded Republicans who do not support a government shutdown, who do not support Ted Cruz’s whole idea of a government shutdown, of Rand Paul being isolationist," he told the publication.

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2013, file photo, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. talks on his phone as he walks to a Republican caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington. King wants even the Boy Scouts to know he is upset with his Republican Party. Before a dozen fresh-faced members of Pack 690 from nearby Seaford, N.Y., the longtime Republican congressman declares that the recent government shutdown triggered partly by the demands of the GOP’s right flank “didn’t accomplish anything.” (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) (L) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) wait to speak at the 'Exempt America from Obamacare' rally, on Capitol Hill, September 10, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

If King decides to run in 2016, he would likely face at least one, if not both Paul and Cruz in the Republican primary.

The New York lawmaker has been one of the most outspoken critics of Cruz and other Tea Party-linked lawmakers in Washington. He has referred to Cruz as a "fraud" and regularly appeared on news networks to bash his effort to defund Obamacare earlier this year.

Cruz's team appears uninterested in engaging in a political boxing match with King or his new PAC.

"Senator Cruz remains focused on making Washington listen by protecting working people from Obamacare and getting the economy growing again. Americans don't care about bickering among D.C. politicians," spokeswoman Catherine Frazier said.

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