Politics

Perry’s Texas approval rating hits 10-year low after doomed presidential bid

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s dismal performance in the GOP presidential race appears to have hurt his popularity at home.

A new poll released Thursday shows that the approval rating for the Lone Star State’s governor has hit a 10-year low.

According to the poll, detailed by the Associated Press, 42 percent of registered voters approve of the job Perry is doing as governor — a 10-point drop from just a year ago — and 45 percent believe that his failed presidential campaign hurt Texas’ image.

Just 17 percent said they see his presidential bid as a positive for the state.

The poll was conducted from Jan. 21-24 for The Dallas Morning News, the Austin American-Statesman, the San Antonio Express-News, the Houston Chronicle and the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

The poll also found that 56 percent of Texas voters believe that Perry should not seek re-election in 2014. (SEE ALSO: Perry loyalists hint at a future presidential bid)

Perry has served as the state’s governor since December 2000, when the office’s previous occupant, George W. Bush, resigned after a successful quest for the White House.

On Jan. 19, ahead of the South Carolina primary, Perry dropped out of the Republican race and endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

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