AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the longest serving chief executive in the state's history and a politician who has never lost an election, said Friday he will consider seeking the Republican nomination for president.
The outspoken conservative, who for months said he wasn't interesting in running for the White House, said he will decide whether to enter the race after the Texas Legislature adjourns Monday.
Perry has been the subject of speculation as some Republicans lamented the slate of GOP candidates planning to challenge President Barack Obama. When asked about the race before Friday, Perry had said repeatedly he was focused on the state's legislative session and not the 2012 presidential race.
Asked once again on Friday if he'd consider a run, Perry said: "I'm going to think about it."
The presidential buzz surrounding Perry increased last week after his speech to Republican insiders in Dallas won rave reviews. Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh spent 20 minutes on his talk show a few days later espousing Perry's appeal as a candidate.
A "Draft Perry 2012" Web site went live that night, sponsored by California Assemblyman Dan Logue. Five other California lawmakers are listed as sponsors. Logue led a delegation of California lawmakers that visited Austin in April to see why so many businesses from the state had moved to Texas.
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