Perry brings on more than 80 major donors

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has signed on more than 80 major donors ahead of a possible presidential run, The Washington Post reports. 

{mosads}The group draws on Perry’s base in Texas and also includes major 2012 donors to Mitt Romney, a mark of how Romney’s decision to bow out has freed up money for the rest of the field.

The list includes Hank Greenberg, the former chief executive of AIG; private equity executive Bill Fleischman; Papa Doug Manchester, a San Diego real estate investor; Georgette Mosbacher, head of a cosmetics manufacturer; and Bob Murray, chief executive of Murray Energy Corp., a coal mining company. 

Perry has not been at the top of the conversation recently, as talk has centered on former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, along with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who has surged after a strong speech in Iowa.

But the announcement shows Perry is ramping up as well, as he seeks to improve on a 2012 campaign widely viewed as falling short of expectations and looks to tout the Texas economy. 

“I am grateful and humbled to have the support of so many champions of conservative principles,” Perry said in a statement to the Post. “I look forward to working with the men and women on RickPAC’s Advisory Board to continue promoting policies that create opportunity for American families by allowing job creators to risk their capital and get a return on their investment, including low taxes and a smart and predictable regulatory environment.”