Rick Perry to Assess Presidential Run

(Photo: REUTERS/Joshua Lott)
U.S. Republican presidential candidate and current Texas Governor Rick Perry attends a campaign event in Ottumwa, Iowa December 22, 2011.

By Sami K. Martin , Christian Post Contributor

January 4, 2012|9:30 am

Rick Perry has announced that he is reassessing his presidential bid following a fifth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses. Perry was once the number-one candidate but has fallen in the polls.

After the caucus results were read, Perry told reporters, “With the voters’ decision tonight in Iowa, I’ve decided to return to Texas, assess the results of tonight’s caucus, determine whether there is a path forward for myself in this race.”

He added, “With a little prayer and reflection I’m gonna (sic) decide the best path forward. But I wanna (sic) tell you, there has been no greater joy in my life than to be able to share with the people of Iowa and of this country that there is a model to take this country forward and it is in the great state of Texas.”

The Iowa caucuses, often seen as predictive of the presidential candidates, were held last night. Mitt Romney won the caucus by eight votes, narrowly edging Rick Santorum. Perry came in fifth, following Ron Paul, who had a strong third-place finish, and Newt Gingrich.

Perry was supposed to be in South Carolina today but his announcement makes analysts wonder if he is one step closer to ending his presidential run. Fellow hopeful Jon Huntsman issued a statement saying, “As he returns to Texas, where he implemented the kind of pro-growth policies that our country desperately needs…we wish Rick and his family all the best.”

The next step for Republicans is the New Hampshire primaries, which are the first in the nation. With less than one week until the primaries, many are wondering whether Perry and others, including Michele Bachmann, Jon Huntsman and Newt Gingrich will remain in the race.

The race for the Republican nomination has seen many twists and turns, such as the run of Herman Cain and the rise and fall of nearly every candidate. Analysts showed their surprise at Rick Santorum’s second-place finish in the caucus last night, and even Santorum himself told reporters, “Game on.”