Potential 2016 rivals back Perry after case moves forward

by David McCabe - 01/27/15 6:54 PM ET

Several conservatives who may face off with former Texas Gov. Rick Perry for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 expressed support for Perry after a judge ruled a criminal case against him can continue.

Perry is a 2016 contender himself, and has hinted at a run in recent months. He has said that he has been working with experts to strengthen his grasp on policy issues.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), who filed Tuesday to launch a committee that can support him as he moves toward a presidential run, said that the prosecution of Perry “is outrageous and sets a dangerous precedent.”

The prosecution of my friend @GovernorPerry is outrageous and sets a dangerous precedent. #StandwithRick

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) January 27, 2015

Others came to his defense as well. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), who has said he is considering a presidential run, characterized the case against Perry as political.

“Texas liberals are grasping at straws,” he wrote on Twitter. “They could never beat Rick at the polls, and they sure won’t beat him in court.”

Perry’s fellow Texan Sen. Ted Cruz (R) also slammed the decision.

“The district court’s decision to allow this case to proceed is both unfortunate and wrong, and it profoundly undermines the rule of law,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Perry was charged in August in connection with a 2013 fight over funding to the Travis County District Attorney’s office. Perry said that if District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg did not resign after she was arrested for drunk driving, he would veto funding to a program run by her office. She did not resign, and he cut off the funding.

A judge ruled Tuesday against Perry’s motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that Perry had been acting within his consitutionally-provided veto power. This will allow the case to move forward as the 2016 presidential campaign shifts into gear.

Tags Ted Cruz