Perry doesn’t rule out future presidential run, aide says

Rick Perry’s communications chief Ray Sullivan says the Texas governor remains open to the possibility of another run for president in 2016 and has learned many “valuable” lessons about the intensity, pace and scrutiny that candidates must endure.

The subject came up -- unprompted -- in a conversation with reporters in the lobby of the North Charleston hotel where Perry had just announced he was leaving the presidential race. Sullivan was asked whether the governor planned to run for re-election in Texas. “That is certainly a strong option as would be maybe doing this again in four years if the president wins,” he responded.

Sullivan and other Perry aides brushed off questions about whether Perry’s lackluster run for president this cycle had affected his backing and future political prospects in Texas. Sullivan noted that Perry has three more years in his gubernatorial term and another legislative session to lead in 2013.

“That’s plenty of time to get back into a strong leadership role in Texas,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2016, Sullivan noted that a number of the Republican nominees in the last 50 years had previously sought the nomination unsuccessfully. “Republican voters tend to like experienced candidates that they’ve seen for a long time,” Sullivan said, citing John McCain, George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan as examples. “I would not rule that out.” Perry would be 66 on Election Day 2016.

“What would he do differently?” a reporter asked.

“Win,” Sullivan replied.