Perry Stands By Support of Cornyn

Gov. Rick Perry, who courted the Tea Party in his 2010 re-election bid and then his 2012 run for president, is not wavering in his support for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn now that conservative firebrand Steve Stockman has thrown his hat into the Senate primary race.

Stockman, an outspoken congressman from southeast Texas, abruptly withdrew his bid for re-election and entered the Senate race just before the filing deadline Monday. Some conservatives are angry that Cornyn refused to endorse U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's tactics in opposing Obamacare, which helped spark the recent government shutdown. Stockman is hoping to capitalize on that anger in his race.

But Perry, who was on hand at Cornyn's re-election kickoff announcement last month, remains a strong Cornyn supporter, said his spokesman, Rich Parsons.

"The governor has been very clear in his support for Senator Cornyn and nothing has changed,'' Parsons said.