While his Republican primary challenger accused him again Monday of being more beholden to his “Libertarian donor base— than to Kentucky voters, ophthalmologist and Senate candidate Rand Paul is making an effort to show he’s a good soldier for the Kentucky Republican Party.

Paul, the son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), is circulating an invite to a fundraiser that he is hosting for state Senate candidate Jimmy Higdon (R) at a private home in Bardstown on Nov. 30.

Higdon, who serves in the state House, is in a key special election battle against a Democratic state Representative. Republicans control the state Senate in the Bluegrass State, but the body is narrowly split and the decennial redistricting process is looming on the horizon.

“If Kentucky’s Republicans lose the state Senate, we could also lose two GOP Congressional seats through redistricting,— Paul campaign manager David Adams said Monday. “That’s why Rand sees it as so important to help out.—

According to Adams, Higdon is a Paul donor, but Federal Election Commission documents show Higdon also donated $250 to the Senate campaign of Paul’s primary opponent, Secretary of State Trey Grayson, in late September.

“We’re trying to make as many Republican friends as we can,— Adams said. “Being a team player will benefit us down the road.—

Paul may be hoping to reap some benefit from demonstrating he can be a good state-party man before his next Internet-based “money bomb— fundraising event Dec. 16.

But on Monday, Grayson, who is the choice of national party officials, again criticized Paul for declining to say who he would support if the vote for Senate Republican Leader next year came down to Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell or conservative champion Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.).

Paul has been pressed on that question by local media after expressing dissatisfaction with GOP leadership in Washington, D.C.

“I recognize the importance of having Senator McConnell in that position not only for the Commonwealth, but also for the entire country,— Grayson said in a statement Monday. “It’s a simple answer for me.  I will absolutely, 100% vote to keep Sen. McConnell as GOP Leader in the Senate if I am elected.—