Perry to make New Hampshire trip

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) will travel to New Hampshire in October, a schedule change that could signal a possible White House run. 

Perry will keynote a fundraiser dinner by Cornerstone Action, a conservative group in the state. Kevin Smith, the group’s executive director, said they had reached out to Perry to headline the event in early May, and confirmation came this week.

“We reached out to him and we had reached out some time ago, probably at the beginning of May,” he said. “So it was actually before any of the rumors about him being serious about running for president.” 

{mosads}Smith said he worked to set up the event with both Perry’s staff and Dave Carney, who recently resigned as an aide to former Speaker Newt Gingrich’s (R-Ga.) presidential campaign. Carney also has close ties to Perry, and his resignation prompted speculation that Perry would be more likely to enter the race.

Perry’s trip to New Hampshire itself, though months away, won’t tamp down speculation that he’ll seek the GOP nomination for president. The state hosts the nation’s first primary contest, and is a traditional stomping ground for most presidential candidates.

“I think if he does decide to run, he’d be a great candidate. I think he would only add to the field of the current crop of candidates,” said Smith.

A spokesman for Perry’s political organization didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.