Two Powerful Washington Insiders Back Perry for Prez

If Gov. Rick Perry's presidential campaign takes him to Washington, D.C., he'll have two friends waiting for him.

Rep. Pete Sessions, the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said he's backing Perry's White House run because of the way the governor has run Texas.

"We're talking straight-up that we support Gov. Perry's model," Sessions said. "And I believe that most -- if not every member of our delegation -- will be supportive of Gov. Perry in the Republican nomination."

By "most," he doesn't mean Rep. Joe Barton, who is backing Newt Gingrich. And he doesn't mean Rep. Ron Paul, who is running for the same nomination Perry wants to win.

Rep. Jeb Hensarling, who can expect a lot of attention as GOP congressional chair of the debt "supercommitee," also said he's supporting Perry's run to win the GOP nomination for president.

"I have known Rick Perry for 20 years and consider him a dear friend," Hensarling said in a statement. "As governor of Texas, he has created an environment for job growth and helped to balance a budget. This kind of real-world experience and ability to make tough decisions is what we need most in this country right now, and I enthusiastically support his candidacy for president of the United States."

Tracking Rick Perry:
For the latest on Rick Perry's run for the White House, click here to see our special Tracking Rick Perry section. View videos, photos, and stories on the Texas Governor's Presidential run.
Contact Us