Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is focusing on the Sunshine State as he readies for a second try for the White House in 2016.
Perry came to Jacksonville this week, appearing at events with former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry in the final days before the first round of the Jacksonville mayoral election next Tuesday. The former Texas governor rallied supporters for Curry on Tuesday in Jacksonville and has been supporting the former RPOF chairman since early January.
"In Texas, and as I travel the United States, I meet people who understand what it takes to transform communities and bring more opportunity for economic growth," Perry said in January when he endorsed Curry. By electing Lenny Curry, Jacksonville can have exactly that type of transformational leader in City Hall."
Perry has focused on the Sunshine State before and Florida was not exactly kind to his presidential ambitions. The Texas governor entered the 2012 Republican presidential contest late but he quickly rocketed to the top of the polls. A series of bad debate performances haunted him and he soon lost momentum, including being upset by businessman Herman Cain at the RPOFs Presidency 5 straw poll. After taking 10 percent in Iowa and 1 percent in New Hampshire, Perry dropped out of the race.
But Perry has been working early caucus and primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire as he gears up for another presidential bid. Focusing on his economic record during his tenure as governor, in which Texas led the nation in job growth, Perry is winning far better reviews this time out than he did in the last presidential election.
Perry is also expanding his team, bringing on staffers through his RickPAC. On Tuesday night, Perry announced Don McGahn -- who President George W. Bush named to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) and who was the general counsel for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) -- will be RickPACs chief counsel. Margaret Lauderback, who has worked with the Republican Governors Association (RGA) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), will be RickPACs national finance director. RickPAC has also made hires in the early primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina in recent days.
Earlier this week, RickPAC brought on Erin DeLullo as national coalition director. DeLullo served as then-U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Fla., national fundraising director during Harris' ill-fated bid against U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., in 2006.
Gov. Perrys unparalleled executive experience is second to nobody when it comes to limiting the size of government, protecting life, and growing opportunity, said DeLullo when she received her new assignment on Monday. I look forward to promoting the conservative principles Gov. Perry champions around the country and building upon the strong foundation of prominent and grassroots conservative leaders the governor has fostered relationships with for years.
Despite his close ties with Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Perry has work to do in Florida if he hopes to catch favorite sons former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and a surging Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., in the states primary. A Gravis poll from earlier this month found Perry taking 1 percent in the 2016 primary. A St. Pete Polls survey from early last month showed Perry with 2 percent support in Florida.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
