“Dad’s a good friend of Ron Paul. He asked him about a month ago if he would be able to come,” County Trustee a.inline_topic:hover { background-color: #EAEAEA; }John Duncan III said Friday, after posting the announcement on Facebook Thursday night. He said he sold about 75 tickets within a few hours.

The younger Duncan was quick to say he did not post anything until after the Knox County Republican Party posted the announcement on its website.

“Jimmy has pulled off a huge coup. We’re all excited,” GOP Chair Ruthie Kuhlman said.

Paul served in Congress multiple times. In between some terms, he practiced medicine. His politics are considered a mixture of Republican and Libertarian beliefs. His son, Rand Paul, is a U.S. senator from Kentucky and active in the tea party movement.