Gov. Rick Perry’s inner circle has evolved significantly since he was first elected to the Texas House in 1984. He changed parties, for one thing, becoming a Republican and shucking one political infrastructure for another. And he changed offices, moving from the House to the Texas Department of Agriculture, from there to the lieutenant governorship and from there, with the election of George W. Bush to the presidency in 2000, into the office he holds today.
His closest advisers are a mix of family, longtime friends and close aides. They know his politics, his history, his strengths and weaknesses, what he eats for breakfast. As he decides whether to seek the presidency and how to proceed from there, Mr. Perry has been and will be relying on these confidants.
Full story: Perry’s Legion: The folks behind the man