Texas Gov. Rick Perry officially picked up the endorsement of Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe Monday.
The long-time conservative stalwart explained that Perry is the best man to take on President Barack Obama in the general election.
“I’ve known Gov. Rick Perry for a long time, and I am endorsing him because I know he is the strongest leader to run against and defeat President Obama. After three years of Obama’s liberal agenda, Rick Perry is the right person to get America working again and turn our country in the right direction,” wrote Sen. Inhofe in a statement.
Inhofe added that Perry’s record in Texas shows that he will use conservative principles to turn the economy around.
“His record as Texas’ governor proves that he knows you grow the economy with less government, by controlling spending, cutting taxes, reforming tort laws and reducing regulatory red tape for employers,” Inhofe said. “One of the important areas is reigning in over-regulation. Rick Perry is strong against the Cap and Trade tax that would further devastate our economy and do nothing but move jobs overseas to places like China. He is one of the few who understand this, and he won’t cave in to the extreme environmental activists or the Hollywood crowd and their liberal agenda. We can’t afford four more years of the Obama malaise. Look at what Rick Perry has done in his state. He is going to be a great president!”
Perry welcomed Inhofe’s endorsement, calling him one of the “leading conservative voices” in the Senate.
“I am humbled to receive his support,” said. Gov. Perry. “I am proud to partner with him as I travel the nation to share my vision to get America working again.”
Inhofe is the first senator to throw his support behind Perry.