|
 |
 |
|
Perry to skip DeMint's presidential forum, will return to Texas to deal with wildfires
Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry will detour from campaigning to return to his state to oversee relief efforts in the wake of devastating wildfires.
The decision means Perry who was in South Carolina to attend Sen. Jim DeMint’s American
Principles Project Palmetto Freedom Forum will be absent from the event.
In a statement, Perry communications director Ray Sullivan announced that the governor was "cancelling the remainder of his South Carolina schedule today, including the Palmetto Freedom Forum, and tomorrow’s California schedule to return to Texas."
"Gov. Perry’s first priority is to the people of Texas during this natural disaster," Sullivan said. He added that Perry had remained in close contact with emergency aid officials in Texas.
The state has suffered from a severe drought throughout the summer which has worsened conditions.
In April, the state faced an earlier round of wildfires. At that time, Perry received criticism when he asked for Texans to pray for an end to the drought and fires. Perry had called on Texans to “join together in prayer to humbly seek an end to this devastating drought and these dangerous wildfires.”
Sen. DeMint’s Labor Day forum is a major showcase for Republican candidates eager to gain the support of South Carolina voters and the backing of DeMint, an influential conservative in the state.
Five other candidates are still scheduled to appear: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and businessman Herman Cain.
Recent polls have shown that Gov. Perry, who was a late entry into the GOP presidential race, is now the frontrunner.
This story was updated at 12:29 p.m.
Most Viewed RSS Feed »
