Perry leaves GOP race, endorses Gingrich

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry Thursday dropped out of the Republican presidential race and endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Perry announced his decision at a morning news conference in South Carolina, where GOP candidates are scheduled to debate Thursday night ahead of Saturday's South Carolina primary.

Perry endorsed Gingrich, who has seen a recent surge in the polls.

"I have come to the conclusion that there is no viable path forward for me in this 2012 campaign," Perry said. "I am suspending my campaign and endorsing Newt Gingrich for president of the United States."

Perry said Gingrich "has the heart of a conservative" and the courage to tell "Washington interests to take a hike."

"Newt is not perfect, but who among us is," Perry said. "There is forgiveness for those who seek God."

Perry was a GOP favorite when he entered the presidential race in August, but his campaign has been hurt by a series of weak debate performances. After a fifth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, he decided to skip New Hampshire in favor of focusing on South Carolina. He hasn't been able to gain much ground, however, and was running in fifth place in South Carolina polling.