11:58 p.m. ET
Perry is addressing supporters in West Des Moines, and is reading a letter from a man who backed him. It looks like one of his daughters is beating back tears, and she got a hug from her brother, Griffin.
“This wasn’t my purpose in life but our country is in trouble. It was my duty to serve my country one more time,” Perry says.
Perry drops a bombshell: “With the voters decision, I decided to return to Texas and determine if there is a path forward,” he says.
“With a little reflection...I am going to decide the best path forward. There is a model to take this country forward and it is in the great state of Texas.”
So sad.