Former Texas governor and two-time presidential candidate Rick Perry has endorsed Donald Trump for president and fully intends on supporting him throughout the campaign.
Perry, speaking by phone from his hometown of Roundtop, Texas, acknowledged Trump is not his ideal choice. When Perry was a candidate for president earlier in the 2016 cycle, he was the first to come out and criticize Trump and question his conservative credentials.
"He is not a perfect man. But what I do believe is that he loves this country and he will surround himself with capable, experienced people and he will listen to them," Perry said.
Perry, who has been urged to run as a third party candidate, dismissed that notion as "quixotic."
"I believe in the process, and the process has said Donald Trump will be our nominee and I'm going to support him and help him and do what I can," Perry said.
"He is one of the most talented people who has ever run for the president I have ever seen," he added.
Perry's endorsement is a stark contrast to House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said he was not ready to support Trump for president just yet.