Dear Commons Community,

Texas Governor Rick Perry dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination today ahead of South Carolina’s primary election.

Perry addressed his decision to abandon his campaign at a press conference in North Charleston. He said he came to the conclusion that there was no longer a “viable path” forward in the contest and added that he knows when it’s “time to make a strategic retreat.”

“I ran for president because I love America,” he explained. “What’s broken in America is not out people. It’s our politics. And what we need in Washington is a government that’s humbler.”

Perry endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the race for the Republican presidential nomination during his remarks.

Tony