BREAKING: GOP Candidate Drops Out Of Presidential Race

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced Friday that he is suspending his presidential campaign.

“Today I step aside knowing as long as we fight for the cause of conservatism, our nation is in good hands,” Perry said.

In CNN polls of Republicans and right-leaning Independents, Perry had 4 percent support in late June. It dropped to 3 percent in late July, 2 percent in mid-August, and he was not listed in a poll released Thursday.

“We have a tremendous field — the best in a generation,” Perry said. “So I step aside knowing our party is in good hands, and as long as we listen to the grassroots, the cause of conservatism will be, too.”

Perry served as governor from 1998 to 2015. He announced his intention to run on June 4, 2015.

By August 10, his campaign had stopped paying its staffers, according to reports.

“(Perry) is a terrific guy and I wish him well — I know he will have a great future!” GOP frontrunner Donald Trump tweeted shortly after Perry’s announcement.

• Read Perry’s full remarks here.

Image credit Gage Skidmore