For a state that thrives on pride, Rick Perry has always been one of its biggest cheerleaders. He is also the longest serving governor in Texas history.
In 2000, he became Governor when George W. Bush left to run the county. But he earned the votes the next three elections. He quickly established himself as a conservative governor, pressing for less government and more economic development.
“During those years he was laying the foundation. He fought for low taxes, less regulation and tort reform,” said Gromer Jeffers, Dallas Morning News Political expert.
Jeffers explain Perry had problems early on developing relationships with the legislature, but 2003 was a major turning point. The Texas house went republican for the first time since reconstruction.
“He was governor during one of the strongest, if not strongest time period in the history of the republican party,” added Jeffers.
Because Perry served for so long, he was able to appoint every department head in the state, eventually gaining more control.
But with that, came claims of cronyism, and favors to high dollar donors.
During his time in office, he crisscrossed the state, touring areas of devastation.
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At first, he was very accessible to the media, but eventually he became more guarded, eyeing bigger things.
In a crowded field, he entered the race for president in 2012.
He peaked early, very early, before a moment in a debate that became known as the oops moment. He could not remember the third department of government he would get rid of if elected.
The oops moment was the beginning of the end in that race.
“He talked about this, too. It also showcased some of his arrogance. He said he really didn't prepare himself properly but that's because he kept getting elected in Texas,” said Jeffers.
Perry's relationship with President Obama was dicey at best. He turned down money available through the Affordable Care Act, even though Texas has the highest number of uninsured people in the nation.
And when the President came to Austin for a fundraiser, Perry delivered a letter to the president about border security. The president waived it off, directing it to an aid.
Perry announced at the Alamo he would not run again, fueling speculation of a bigger run.
Then the biggest national story putting Texas in the spotlight: The flood of illegal immigrants into Texas.
And when President Obama came to Dallas for a fundraising event, this time the two met on the tarmac at DFW International Airport, sharing a plane ride and a meeting at Dallas Love Field about immigration.
Perry continued to press immigration reform and border security, even going as far as activating the Texas National Guard this past summer. But right after that, Perry was pulled in another direction. He was indicted on abuse of power charges.
“The facts are there to support the charges,” said Special Prosecutor Michael McCrum when the indictment was handed up.
Accused of vetoing money from the office of the Travis County district attorney after she refused to resign when she got a DWI.
In true Perry fashion, he went big and bold, smirking for his mug shot, then rallying his supporters at the courthouse.
"I enter this courthouse with my head held high, knowing that the actions I took were not only lawful and legal, but right,” said Perry at the time.
“Publicly he is like, it is without merit, but anytime you are indicted, it is a serious situation. Look at Tom Delay,” added Jeffers.
As it stands now, his attorneys have filed motions to get the indictments thrown out, but the judge has not yet ruled on it. And as for Perry’s future, he still has not announced his next steps.
