Timeline of Events in Gov. Rick Perry's Life

Rick Perry had led a charmed political life, never losing an election between 1984 and 2010, despite switching parties and having the state around him shift from faithfully Democratic to fiercely Republican.

But the longest-serving governor in Texas history saw his ballot-box fortunes change dramatically with 2011 and his disastrous run for the White House.

March 4, 1950 -- Born in Paint Creek, a rural farming village north Abilene.

September 1968 -- Arrives at Texas A&M University, becomes a "yell leader;" dreams of being a veterinarian but Perry's science grades steer him instead to flight school. Joins U.S. Air Force upon graduation.

November 1982 -- Marries Anita Thigpen, who Perry first met at an elementary school piano recital. The couple has two adult children; The Perrys became grandparents in June 2013.

November 1984 -- Elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat serving Haskell County in rural West Texas.

September 1989 -- Becomes a Republican mere days after learning he wouldn't be named chairman of the powerful House Calendars Committee.

November 1990 -- Upsets Democratic incumbent Jim Hightower to become Texas Agricultural Commissioner -- with the help of then little-known GOP strategist Karl Rove.

November 1998 -- Tops his former Texas A&M roommate, Democrat John Sharp, to become lieutenant governor. Perry gets backing from then-Gov. George W. Bush, who wanted to leave for the White House but keep the Texas governorship in Republican hands.

December 2000 -- Sworn in as Texas' 47th governor after Bush left to become president.

November 2002 -- Bests Democrat Tony Sanchez, a Laredo oilman and banker, to win his first full-term in office.

November 2006 -- Captures just 39 percent of the vote, but it's enough to retain his post, besting a Democratic challenger and two independents.

March 2010 -- Easily tops U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in Texas' GOP gubernatorial primary, dominating what was supposed to be a bruising battle between the state's top Republicans.

February 2010 -- Produces a laser-sited pistol from his running shorts and shoots a coyote he says was menacing his daughter's dog while jogging in rural Austin.

August 2010 -- Replies: "I have no intention to go to Washington, D.C." when asked during a fundraiser at a barbeque restaurant if he's planning to run for president in 2012.

November 2010 -- Easily beats Democrat Bill White to win an unprecedented third gubernatorial term.

August 13, 2011 -- Announces in South Carolina that he will run for president.

Sept. 22, 2011 -- Still a front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination, Perry says "I don't think you have a heart" of those who oppose Texas' policy of offering in-state college tuition to the children of illegal immigrants. His popularity slips and never recovers.

Nov. 9, 2011 -- Forgets the third of three federal departments he has promised to shutter if elected during a Republican debate in Rochester, Michigan. His "Oops" moment is much of America's lasting image of Perry.

Jan. 19, 2012 -- Drops out of the presidential race in South Carolina, two days after a dismal showing in the state's primary. Perry says he's "neither discouraged nor disenchanted" but was "highly rewarded" by his experience.

Jan. 13, 2013 -- Tells a Dallas TV station that he and popular fellow Republican and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott have a gentlemen's agreement not run against each other for governor. Abbott never confirms such a deal.

June 26, 2013 -- Convenes a second special legislative session after a 12-plus hour filibuster by Democratic state Sen. Wendy Davis and hundreds of shouting protesters run out a midnight deadline to approve sweeping new restrictions on abortion during the first special session that ended June 25.

July 8, 2013 -- Announces in San Antonio he won't seek re-election.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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