Rep. Ron Paul (R), a long-shot presidential candidate who has developed a cult following and raised more money for his White House bid than some of the GOP frontrunners, isn’t letting his ambitions for higher office interfere with his Congressional career.

Paul plans to file for re-election to his 14th district seat in advance of Texas’ Jan. 2 filing deadline, his Congressional office confirmed Monday — despite the fact he is in the midst of a campaign for the Republican presidential nomination that has turned the career House backbencher into a national figure.

“Congressman Paul intends to file for re-election to his Congressional seat,” Paul’s Congressional spokeswoman Rachel Mills told Roll Call in an e-mail. “He will probably do so closer to the deadline.”

Paul’s mixture of populist rhetoric and libertarian viewpoints have found a growing audience nationally. However, the Congressman, who appears unlikely to win the GOP presidential nod, could find himself under fire at home in the March 4 Republican primary.

Four Republicans have indicated an interest in challenging the Congressman next year, and some already have launched their campaigns, including the former chairman of the Texas Young Republicans, Bobby Eberle; businessman Mark Henry, who ran for Congress in the 2nd district in 2004; NASA computer contractor and former Congressional aide Andy Mann; and Friendswood City Councilman Chris Peden.

— David M. Drucker