Rick Perry expected to end presidential candidacy, may endorse Newt Gingrich
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is expected to end his bid for the Republican presidential nomination today and may endorse former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, according to two sources familiar with his thinking.
There were a series of conflicting reports about whether Perry would formally throw his support behind Gingrich today. Gingrich himself said via email that all he knows is “not much. Rumors.”
Perry has called a press conference at 11 a.m. this morning in North Charleston to announce the news, which was first reported by CNN’s Peter Hamby.
Republican presidential candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry speaks during the Personhood USA presidential forum in Greenville, South Carolina January 18, 2012. REUTERS/Chris Keane
Perry’s announcement comes just hours before the candidates will gather for their 16th debate of the Republican race and just two days before the South Carolina primary.
For the last several months, it had become clear that Perry would not be a major factor in the race — hamstrung by a string of lackluster debate performances that culminated in his inability to name the three federal agencies that he would eliminate if elected president.
