Rick Perry Retiring: The Longest-Serving Texas Governor Is Not Running Again

Texas Gov. Rick Perry Says he Won't Run Again (USA Today)

Texas Gov. Rick Perry said Monday that he will not seek re-election next year, bringing an end to his record-setting tenure as chief executive of the Lone Star state.

"The time has come to pass on the mantle of leadership," Perry, a Republican, said at a news conference in San Antonio surrounded by hundreds of supporters.

Perry's departure sets up the biggest political shuffle in Texas since 1990, the last time there was an open race for governor.

Perry, 63, is already the longest-serving governor in Texas history and has been the state's chief executive since December 2000, when George W. Bush left to become president.