Why might Americans think Paul and Rubio care about people like them? Perhaps because they have taken stands on issues most Republicans avoid. For instance, Paul has actively sought reform of the criminal-justice system and is an outspoken critic of police misconduct and the justice system’s disparate impact on African-American and Hispanic communities. Further, Paul has twice filibustered (or quasi-filibustered) over drone assassinations of citizens in the United States and renewal of the Patriot Act.

Rubio has made legislative efforts to comprehensively liberalize the immigration system and provide a pathway to citizenship for the millions of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States. (Rubio is also known for engaging with pop culture in ways that most Republicans avoid.)

Republicans have lost the popular vote in five of the six presidential elections since 1992. However, candidates like Rubio and Paul who expand their scope of issue ownership beyond conventional Republican issues may be expanding their base of support. It’s worth noting that what Rubio and Paul’s unique stances share in common is expanding freedom and choice, and this may be attractive to new GOP voters.