Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry dropped out of the GOP presidential nominiation race Friday, AP reported.
BREAKING: AP sources: Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to drop out of 2016 Republican presidential race.
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 11, 2015
In a statement sent to reporters by the campaign, Perry said he leaves the race with “no regrets.”
Perry remarks on dropping out, just landed in inbox: pic.twitter.com/qkcvjQ0UwP
— Rosie Gray (@RosieGray) September 11, 2015
He announced his decision in a speech to the Eagle Forum in St. Louis, where he expressed his belief in conservative principals as well as in his Christian faith.
“That is why today I am suspending my campaign for the presidency of the United States,” Perry said. “We have a tremendous field of candidates – probably the greatest group of men and women – I step aside knowing our party is in good hands.”
In the remarks, Perry had plenty of criticism for President Obama, who he called a “divider who has sliced and diced the electorate.”
But he also had some comments geared towards the other GOP candidates, and specifically, it appeared, towards Donald Trump, who Perry slammed while on the trail.
“We cannot indulge nativist appeals that divide the nation further,” Perry said, later adding “Demeaning people of Hispanic heritage is not just ignorant, it betrays the example of Christ.”
Correction: This story has been corrected to show that Perry was speaking in St. Louis, Missouri.