Rick Perry announces he will run for president in 2016

Bruce+Rastetter+conducts+a+Q%26amp%3BA+session+with+former+Texas+Gov.+Rick+Perry+about+agricultural+issues+facing+the+world+today.+The+session+was+a+part+of+the+2015+Ag+Summit+that+took+place+in+Des+Moines+on+March+7.

Charlie Coffey/Iowa State Daily

Bruce Rastetter conducts a Q&A session with former Texas Gov. Rick Perry about agricultural issues facing the world today. The session was a part of the 2015 Ag Summit that took place in Des Moines on March 7.

Alex Hanson

Rick Perry, the former four-term governor of Texas, announced Thursday he will seek the presidency for a second time, hoping to avoid the same mistakes he made during his 2012 bid.

Speaking to supporters at an airplane hangar north of Dallas in his home state of Texas, Perry said with a new president, America has the power to make things new again.

“I am running for president because I know our country’s best days are ahead of us,” Perry said on his newly launched website, RickPerry.org. “The road to the White House will demand my best and I will work every day to earn your support.”

He spoke extensively about reversing overburdening government regulations, growing debt and returning “freedom to the individual.”

“The American People see a rigged game, where insiders get rich, and the middle class pays the tab,” he said.

Following his announcement today, Perry will come to Iowa this weekend. Along with taking part in Sen. Joni Ernst’s “Roast and Ride” event in Boone, Perry will host his own event titled “Ride with Rick.” Perry is inviting American military members to ride from Perry to Boone for Ernst’s event. Proceeds will go to the Puppy Jake Foundation, which provides service dogs to assist wounded veterans. 

Perry is the 10th Republican to officially declare his candidacy. Several more Republicans are expected to announce in the coming weeks, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on June 15, businessman Donald Trump on June 16 and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on June 24.

Read more about Perry’s announcement and his reflection on his run for president in 2012, here