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FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
News Release
July 8, 2013

Gov. Perry Not to Seek Re-Election in 2014

SAN ANTONIO - After more than a decade of principled conservative leadership that has helped make Texas' healthy economy a beacon for job creation and the envy of the nation, Gov. Rick Perry today announced he will not seek reelection to a fourth full term in 2014.

"Texas is home to a unique people with limitless inspiration and perseverance, and leading this state for the first part of the 21st century has been nothing less than extraordinary," Gov. Perry said. "I remain excited about the future and the challenges ahead, and will spend the next 18 months working to create more Texas jobs, opportunity and innovation."

Since taking office in December 2000, Gov. Perry has worked to create a Texas of unlimited opportunity by focusing on creating jobs and preserving freedom, while investing in our people and our future. The governor's leadership has made government more efficient and accountable to Texas taxpayers and kept the tax burden on job creators and families low, while making historic investments in infrastructure and education to meet the demands of our state's fast growing population.

"Our communities are thriving with unlimited potential, arts and culture, and a tremendous quality of life. Today, Texas is better positioned to take advantage of the opportunities of the 21st Century than any other state," Gov. Perry said. "Thirty percent of the net new jobs created in America over the last decade have been created in Texas. This is a tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit of Texans. It's the private sector that creates wealth and jobs. The public sector can only create the right environment to make this possible. In this regard, we have done our best work."

To prepare Texans to compete in the workforce of tomorrow, Gov. Perry has led the effort to raise educational standards in Texas public schools, and better prepare students to pursue college or enter the workforce. He has also worked to increase accountability, accessibility and affordability in higher education to ensure more Texans have the opportunity to earn a college degree.

Additionally, Gov. Perry has proudly led the fight to protect traditional values in Texas. He remains a strong champion for life, calling lawmakers into a second special session to protect the unborn. He has signed pro-life legislation into law requiring parental consent when their minor daughter seeks an abortion, and that women who seek abortions must first be provided a sonogram to better understand the impact of their life-ending decision. He also championed a constitutional amendment defining marriage in Texas as a union between one man and one woman.

"I make this announcement with the deepest sense of humility and appreciation for the trust the people of this state have given me, and knowing I will truly miss serving in this capacity - the greatest job in modern politics," Gov. Perry said. "Our responsibility remains to the next generation of Texans, who will inherit a state of our making. We alone are responsible for the kind of Texas that will greet them. It is my hope that tomorrow's leaders build on our legacy of opportunity so Texans born into any circumstances have a chance to experience the American Dream."

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Texas's longest serving governor, Rick Perry, is also the nation's most successful conservative governor based on job creation, tax relief, tort reform, 7 balanced budgets and strong pro-family legislation.

Since Gov. Perry took office, Texas has added 1.6 million jobs - a 17 percent increase - during a time the country as a whole added approximately 3.1 million net new jobs, only a 2.3 percent increase.

Under Gov. Perry's leadership, Texas has ranked 3rd among all states in personal income growth, and 85 percent of net new Texas jobs have been in the private sector.

Gov. Perry has signed 7 balanced state budgets and billions in tax cuts, including small business tax relief, a property tax rate cut and the elimination of a telephone tax. He has also used the line-item veto on $4 billion in proposed state spending. 

Rick Perry's Texas earns outstanding debt ratings, and during his tenure Texas's per capita debt has gone to 5th lowest among the 50 states

Gov. Perry successfully championed a 2003 Constitutional Amendment significantly reducing frivolous medical lawsuits. Since that measure passed, Texas has added tens of thousands of new doctors, including gains in obstetricians in 52 Texas counties and 23 medically underserved areas.

In 2005, Gov. Perry championed, and Texas voters overwhelmingly passed, a Constitutional Amendment protecting marriage, codifying in the state constitution that, "Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman."

To protect and respect life, Gov. Perry signed legislation requiring parental consent for a minor's abortion and requiring a sonogram prior to an abortion. Texas is also poised to increase health and safety standards for abortion clinics and restrict abortions after five months of pregnancy.

Rick Perry championed successful border security measures along our 1,200-mile Texas-Mexico border, with more than $500 million for law enforcement personnel and technology, including Texas Ranger Recon teams, border securing cameras, and a $12 million transnational gang initiative. 

A strong proponent of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Gov. Perry signed laws strengthening the Castle Doctrine, streamlining the concealed handgun license (CHL) process, removing barriers to CHLs, expanding rights to lawfully carry, and creating a School Marshall license to allow school boards and charter schools to better protect school campuses. 

Other milestones under Gov. Perry's tenure:

Public education funding increased more than $14 billion during Gov. Perry's tenure.

Texas college and university enrollment is up 57%, including a 110% increase in Hispanic students.

During the last decade, Texas has added more roadway miles than any other state, with more than 6,800 new highway lane miles. 

Texas' air quality is markedly better than it was in 2000, even while adding 4.8 million new people and 1.6 million jobs. Statewide, from 2000-2011, nitrogen oxide levels were decreased by nearly 58 percent, while ozone levels decreased 23 percent, 10 percent better than the national average.

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