Rick Perry ran out of money days ago. He was laying off staff and sitting at about 1 percent in national polls on Friday when he announced he would become the first in the 2016 Republican presidential race to throw in the towel.

Perry conceded his chances as an active candidate before media and a swell of emotional supporters at the Eagle Forum in St. Louis.

"When I gave my life to Christ, I said, 'Your ways are greater than my ways. Your will is superior to mine.' Today I submit to you His will remains a mystery, but some things have become, and become very clear to me. That is why today I am suspending my campaign for the presidency of the United States," he said.

"We have a tremendous field of candidates, probably the greatest group of men and women," Perry went on. "I step aside knowing our party is in great hands."

The former Texas governor did take aim at one candidate -- Donald Trump — without directly mentioning the business tycoon’s name. He challenged voters to resist the lures of celebrity, coded racism, xenophobic discourse, false conservatism, and candidates who did not have true Christian faith.

He pleaded with Republicans to realize the U.S.-Mexico border can be secured “without inflammatory rhetoric, without base appeals that divide us based on race, culture, and creed.”

Perry's struggling campaign failed to gain momentum in the crowded GOP field. A CNN/ORC poll released earlier in the week found Perry getting less than 1 percent support from Republican voters nationally.

Super-PACs supporting his bid attempted to come to his rescue, raising nearly $17 million. But in the end, Perry was convinced it wouldn't be enough to compensate for his money woes.

Perry entered the 2016 race after waging a disappointing effort four years earlier. He began the 2012 presidential race with much fanfare, touting impressive fundraising numbers and a record of explosive job growth during his tenure as the governor of Texas.

But he stumbled badly in early debates, alienating many conservatives when he suggested that those who do not support in-state tuition for the children of undocumented immigrants "don't have a heart."

"I give you this news with no regrets," Perry told supporters and press Friday. "It has been a privilege for me, it has been an honor to travel this country to speak with the American people about their hopes and their dreams."



Trump is leading the polls in the GOP race and reportedly has all the money he needs.

Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith