Governor Rick Perry put an end to the speculation Thursday morning and announced he is leaving the presidential race.
"I have come to the conclusion that there is no viable path forward for me in this 2012 campaign," Perry said.
Local Attorney Kevin Glasheen just got back from supporting Perry in South Carolina.
"It was fascinating to see the campaign up close in person," he said. Glasheen is a longtime donor and supporter. He said Perry raised his game throughout the campaign.
"The candidate Rick Perry we saw this week, had that been the candidate that came in as the front runner, he would still be the front runner," Glasheen said.
FOX 34 caught up with a variety of citizens who had things to say about the Texas governor coming back to the Lone Star State.
"It's a shame that he quit."
"I felt like he didn't have that much of a chance."
"He needs to stay in."
"He made the right decision because the cards were against him and I am glad he supported Newt Gingrich."
"I haven't seen one person go through that office that didn't along the line have a speed bump."
Texas Tech Political Science professor Cindy Rugeley said Perry knew his chance had come and gone.
"He was going to get toasted in South Carolina, he was not going to do well," Rugeley said. "So I think he just decided 'I have given it my best shot, and now line up behind up another candidate I would like to see win.' He started up in first place, but with miscues and screw-ups he ended up in last place."
Though he was low in the polls, Perry is still hoping to have influence on the GOP race. Lubbock Republican County Chairman Chris Winn said it was strategic move.
"It was his opportunity to affect the primary by stepping back, stepping out and endorsing Newt Gingrich," Winn said.
"Now everyone is saying, 'Well, if all these guys start winnowing out and one guy is left standing against Mitt Romney, what's going to happen?" Rugeley said. "Is there enough of a conservative force in the Republican Party that they can stop someone who's perceived as a more moderate candidate?" she said.
"Newt Gingrich's ex-wife is starting to stir the fire a little bit, y'know a woman scorned, so we will just have to see what happens on that," Rugeley said. If nothing else, the Republican primary has been interesting."
As the Texas Governor bids farewell to his campaign, he'll now watch the GOP primaries play out among the four remaining candidates.
FOX 34’s Jeff Klotzman and Texas Tech debate coach Joe Gantt discussed where the GOP race stands and where it goes from here. To watch the discussion click on the video to the right.
