Perry Makes Texas History
By: KRBC News Desk
Updated: December 23, 2008
Governor Rick Perry has made another footnote in the history of the Lone Star State. Perry now holds the distinction as being the longest serving governor in states history. He became governor on December 21, 2000 after George W. Bush resigned after being elected president. Perry filled the remainder of President Bush's gubernatorial term in December 2000 and benefited from a couple of leap years along the way. It added up to 2,919 days in office as of midday last Friday, tying Republican Gov. Bill Clements' tenure over two different terms that were several years apart. There are no term limits for Texas governors. But many of them, until Bush in the late 1990s, have found their time in office short-lived because the state's voters tended to boot them out of office.
Observers credit Perry for helping lower taxes and creating a climate that has more jobs and industry to the state. Perry is seeking another term in office in 2010 but it is speculated that he may be challenged by current U.S. Senator Kay Bailey-Hutchinson for the Republican ticket for governor.
