The #NeverTrump movement hit another roadblock after former Texas Gov. Rick Perry signaled Sunday that he is not interested in running as a third-party candidate, The New York Times reported.
During a meeting of conservative activists last week in Washington D.C., Perry’s name was reportedly brought up as a potential recruit to run as a third-party candidate in order to offer an alternative to Donald Trump should he win the Republican nomination. Another name introduced was Tom Coburn, the former Oklahoma senator, according to the Times.
But Perry does not have any interest in a presidential bid, tweeted his spokesman, Jeff Miller. Instead, Miller insisted that the Republican Party rally behind Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who Perry has endorsed. Miller also criticized those who were asking Perry to run for not supporting him during his unsuccessful 2012 and 2016 presidential bids:
@GovernorPerry has no interest in running as a 3rd party candidate. For the good of the country, he wants the GOP to unite around @tedcruz
— Jeff Miller (@JeffMillerCA2TX) March 20, 2016
With all due respect to @BillKristol and donors who have called. Where were you when @GovernorPerry was actually running for POTUS
— Jeff Miller (@JeffMillerCA2TX) March 20, 2016
What a tragedy, I was hoping the circus would have a whole new act by summer.
Perry? Really they wanted a guy that couldn’t win even when Trump wasn’t running.
Because Cruz and Perry have TX-sized dirt on each other. Can’t wait to see Dem nominee unload on Trump/Cruz.
oops… because they couldn’t guarantee an unlimited supply of Vicodin and maple syrup?
Oops.