Perry to Return to Texas to Assess Campaign January 4, 2012, 12:07 am DES MOINES - Rick Perry said Tuesday night that he will return to Texas to "assess" whether there is a path for him to continue in the presidential campaign. Mr. Perry, the governor of Texas, came in fifth in the Iowa caucuses, a disappointing finish after quickly - but briefly - jumping into first place in the race this summer. In less than five months, his candidacy went from first to almost last, brought down by several bad debate performances that robbed his campaign of much-needed momentum. Mr. Perry had said he would take the campaign directly to South Carolina, skipping New Hampshire to fight on in the conservative southern state. But Mr. Perry said on Tuesday night that he had changed his mind. He did not officially drop out of the race, but said he would return to his home in Texas to decide what to do. "This has to be the greatest honor of my life," Mr. Perry said. Our country was in trouble, and it was my duty to serve my country one more time. This campaign has never been about me.