Rick Perry Won't Run Again in Texas But Leaves Door Open for 2016

On Monday, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas announced that he would not seek another term. Perry had been serving as governor since George W. Bush became president in 2001. This makes Perry the longest serving governor in Texas history. The time has come to pass on the mantle of leadership, Perry said at a media event in San Antonio on Monday.

Perry left the door open to making a second bid for the Republican presidential nomination on Monday. Despite starting out as one of the top contenders to be the Republican presidential candidate in the 2012 election cycle, Perry made a number of gaffes. After losing the Presidency 5 straw poll in Orlando to Herman Cain, Perry faded and failed to become a major contender in either Iowa or South Carolina. But, despite the misfires in 2012, Perry has flirted with running again in 2016.