Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry backs Donald Trump
The longest serving governor in Texas history had a change of heart and decided to endorse Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
“He is one of the most talented people who has ever run for the president I have ever seen,” said Rick Perry on CNN Thursday. Not too long ago, Perry referred to Trump as a :cancer on conservatism.”
Republican National Committee Chairman, Reince Priebus, declared the GOP race over, saying on Twitter Trump would be the party’s presumptive nominee. “We all need to unite and focus on defeating Hillary Clinton,” he wrote.
Wednesday evening, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said he was committed to supporting his party’s nominee.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie; former GOP presidential hopeful, Ben Carson; and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal have endorsed Trump.
“If he is the nominee, I will be voting for him, I will be supporting him,” Jindal said on CNN. “I’m not happy about it. I don’t think he’s the best qualified candidate, I don’t think he’s the one most likely to be successful, but I would vote for him over Hillary Clinton.”
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said he would support the nominee, regardless of who it is.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, the highest ranking elected GOP leader, said he was not ready to support Trump Thursday.
“We will need a standard-bearer who can unify all Republicans, all conservatives, all wings of our party, and then go to the country with an appealing agenda,” Ryan said. “And we have work to do on this front, and I think our nominee has to lead in that effort.”
Trump responded with a statement saying he’s not ready to support Ryan’s agenda.
Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee said Thursday he isn’t planning to attend the convention where Trump is expected to become the Party’s 2016 presidential nominee.
Former President George W. Bush said Wednesday he does “not plan to participate in or comment on” the 2016 presidential race.