Former Texas governor Rick Perry endorses Ted Cruz

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Gov. Rick Perry endorses Ted Cruz for president

Former GOP candidate explains his decision on 'Fox & Friends'

DES MOINES, Iowa – Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who dropped out of the Republican presidential race last year, on Monday endorsed fellow Texan Sen. Ted Cruz for president.

P‎erry announced his support for Cruz on Fox News, and in a video statement released by the Cruz campaign.

“I am convinced without a doubt that on day one, this very committed conservative American will be ready to be commander-in-chief,” Perry told Fox News.

Cruz, who worked in Perry's administration as the solicitor general of Texas between 2003 and 2008, is currently in second place in Iowa and trailing Donald Trump by 11 points, according to a new Fox News Poll released on Sunday. With only a week until the Iowa caucuses, Trump was solidly in first place with 34 percent, while Cruz trailed him with 23 percent.

The only other candidate to score double digits in the recent survey among Iowa GOP likely caucus-goers was Florida Sen. Marco Rubio with 12 percent.

Rick Perry became the first candidate in the once-17-person Republican race to drop out, suspending his campaign on Sept. 11 of last year. He was later joined by Scott Walker, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki and Lindsey Graham.

Prior to Perry, Graham was the only other ex-candidate to make an endorsement. The South Carolina senator announced his support for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush earlier this month.