Perry lands ex-Romney healthcare adviser

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced Monday that he has nabbed one of the kings of conservative healthcare policy for his likely 2016 campaign.

The Manhattan Institute’s Avik Roy, who previously served as a healthcare adviser for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, will now join Perry’s advisory committee, Rick PAC.

{mosads}Roy, a fierce critic of ObamaCare, has also played a major role in Congress as he helps Republicans map out their strategy for replacing the president’s healthcare law, particularly with the looming Supreme Court case.

“I can’t wait to come home to Texas and work with RickPAC because I’m convinced that the creative, conservative reforms he implemented as governor can make life better for every American,” Roy, who is also the opinions editor for Forbes, wrote in a statement.

Perry will also bring in the American Enterprise Institute’s Abby McCloskey as a senior economic adviser. She has also worked for a foundation launched by Charles Koch, who is one of the most important conservative benefactors in 2016.

The big grab for Perry comes as several other Republicans have already jumped into the race. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have each declared their candidacies in the last two weeks.

Perry, who would be one of the only veterans in the 2016 race, has made trips to key states like New Hampshire but has remained mum on the rollout of his campaign.

Perry announced his two newest hires Monday, lauding them as “great resources as I outline my vision for the future of our country.”