Texas Governor Perry Will Not Seek Re-Election

A video was released to precede Governor Perry's announcement Monday.



Governor Rick Perry will not seek re-election.  The longest serving Texas governor is stepping aside. There is no denying the fact that the man has loved his job.  He has been at the helm as Texas has enjoyed recent years of Republican domination in elected office and the rise in Texas' standing as a job creating, low cost of living, business friendly, open arms to all state.

Whether or not Perry will take another run at the Republican nomination for President remains to be seen.  I certainly would not rule that idea out.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) today made the following statement after Texas Governor Rick Perry announced that he will not seek reelection:

 “Under Governor Perry’s leadership, Texas has been a shining example that less government, lower taxes and fewer regulations helps to grow jobs and move our economy forward.  It’s a striking contrast to the big government, big spending, liberal mindset of the current Administration. “Sandy and I wish Gov. Perry and Anita the best, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on behalf of 26 million Texans.”

Here are some bullet points on the Perry years:

Texas's longest serving governor, Rick Perry, is also the nation's most successful conservative governor based on job creation, tax relief, tort reform, 7 balanced budgets and strong pro-family legislation.

Since Gov. Perry took office, Texas has added 1.6 million jobs - a 17 percent increase - during a time the country as a whole added approximately 3.1 million net new jobs, only a 2.3 percent increase.

Under Gov. Perry's leadership, Texas has ranked 3rd among all states in personal income growth, and 85 percent of net new Texas jobs have been in the private sector.

Gov. Perry has signed 7 balanced state budgets and billions in tax cuts, including small business tax relief, a property tax rate cut and the elimination of a telephone tax. He has also used the line-item veto on $4 billion in proposed state spending. 

Rick Perry's Texas earns outstanding debt ratings, and during his tenure Texas's per capita debt has gone to 5th lowest among the 50 states. 

Gov. Perry successfully championed a 2003 Constitutional Amendment significantly reducing frivolous medical lawsuits. Since that measure passed, Texas has added tens of thousands of new doctors, including gains in obstetricians in 52 Texas counties and 23 medically underserved areas.

In 2005, Gov. Perry championed, and Texas voters overwhelmingly passed, a Constitutional Amendment protecting marriage, codifying in the state constitution that, "Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman."

To protect and respect life, Gov. Perry signed legislation requiring parental consent for a minor's abortion and requiring a sonogram prior to an abortion. Texas is also poised to increase health and safety standards for abortion clinics and restrict abortions after five months of pregnancy.

Rick Perry championed successful border security measures along our 1,200-mile Texas-Mexico border, with more than $500 million for law enforcement personnel and technology, including Texas Ranger Recon teams, border securing cameras, and a $12 million transnational gang initiative. 

A strong proponent of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Gov. Perry signed laws strengthening the Castle Doctrine, streamlining the concealed handgun license (CHL) process, removing barriers to CHLs, expanding rights to lawfully carry, and creating a School Marshall license to allow school boards and charter schools to better protect school campuses. 

Other milestones under Gov. Perry's tenure:

Public education funding increased more than $14 billion during Gov. Perry's tenure.

Texas college and university enrollment is up 57%, including a 110% increase in Hispanic students.

During the last decade, Texas has added more roadway miles than any other state, with more than 6,800 new highway lane miles. 

Texas' air quality is markedly better than it was in 2000, even while adding 4.8 million new people and 1.6 million jobs. Statewide, from 2000-2011, nitrogen oxide levels were decreased by nearly 58 percent, while ozone levels decreased 23 percent, 10 percent better than the national average.

Thank you for your service, Governor Perry.  And thank you for knowing when to step aside.