Rick Perry endorses Lenny Curry for Jax mayor, calls him “transformational”

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is endorsing Lenny Curry in the Jacksonville mayoral race.

Perry, a possible 2016 Republican presidential contender, made the announcement today while in Florida for the second-term inauguration of Gov. Rick Scott.

“In Texas, and as I travel the United States,” Perry said in a statement, “I meet people who understand what it takes to transform communities and bring more opportunity for economic growth. By electing Lenny Curry, Jacksonville can have exactly that type of transformational leader in City Hall.”

Perry calls Curry, the former Republican Party of Florida chair, a “committed, principled” conservative. His endorsement comes after several conversations between the two Republican leaders.

“We need more elected officials with his type of experience as a small business owner and job creator,” he added.

In accepting Perry’s support, Curry referred to the “Texas turnaround” and how it demonstrates the way a conservative leader can bring about “unprecedented economic opportunity.”

“It is an honor to have this national leader on my team,” he added.

Curry faces Democratic incumbent Democratic Mayor Alvin Brown and Republican City Councilman Bill Bishop in a general election set for March 24. If no candidate gets a majority of votes, the top two candidates will face off in a runoff May 19.