Texas Gov. Rick Perry Endorses Mitt Romney

Gov. Rick Perry announced Wednesday that he is endorsing Mitt Romney as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate.

Perry had initially endorsed former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, whom he called a “conservative visionary” during his concession speech. But Gingrich dropped out of the race hours before Perry announced his endorsement swap, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Perry blasted President Barack Obama’s “four years of failed job-killing policies” in a statement emailed to news outlets and wrote that Romney is now best suited to take the presidential seat back from the Democrats.

“American jobs, economic stability and national security depend on electing a new president,” the statement reads. “Mitt’s vision and record of private sector success will put America back on the path of job creation, economic opportunity and limited government.”

During debates leading up to the first primary, Perry frequently blasted Romney’s health care plan that required Massachusetts residents to buy health insurance. During a Sept. 23 debate in Florida, Perry called it a model for “Obamacare.”

Here is the full statement:

“Mitt Romney has earned the Republican Presidential nomination through hard-work, a strong organization, and disciplined message of restoring America after nearly four years of failed job-killing policies from President Obama and his administration,” said Governor Perry. ”So today I join the many conservative Republicans across the nation in endorsing Mitt Romney for President and pledge to him, my constituents and the Republican Party than I will continue to work hard to help defeat President Obama. American jobs, economic stability and national security depend on electing a new president. Mitt ‘s vision and record of private sector success will put America back on the path of job creation, economic opportunity and limited government.”