Multiple Perry staffers have told Breitbart News that their strategy is to work hard to win over Republican voters in the early primary states, and his travel schedule over the past few months confirms a heavy emphasis in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
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Sam Clovis, one of Iowa’s most prominent conservatives who had been leading Perry’s campaign in the state, confirmed in an interview that he had left the Perry campaign in part because he was no longer being compensated.
Clovis called Perry a “remarkable man” and wished him well.
Nashad emphasised that Perry’s bid will go on, regardless of its present struggles.
“It’s been fascinating”, Clovis said of Trump’s rise, adding that he’s so intrigued by Trump that he now watches MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” each day and tries to sees his rallies live on television. “We wish Sam the best in his next endeavor”, Perry campaign spokeswoman Lucy Nashed said Monday. Iowa staffers flanked Perry on a swing through Iowa last week, although Clovis was not visibly on the trail with the former Texas governor. Haus declined to say what the Iowa operation would look like until that process concludes at the end of the week.
A parallel campaign is being waged by the Opportunity and Freedom PAC, which had raised $17 million, and is operated by close affiliates of Perry. The groups aren’t allowed to coordinate directly with Perry’s campaign, but have hired their own Iowa staff and can continue to get his message out there and elsewhere.
Despite troubles raising money and a crumbling campaign infrastructure, Perry plans to remain in the race for the GOP nomination.
Perry himself, meanwhile, has continued to campaign heavily in Iowa.
Perry is also scheduled to visit South Carolina on Thursday for three days of events.
This is Perry’s second White House bid.
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His 2012 presidential campaign started with great fanfare and strong fundraising, but collapsed quickly.
