Perry's Iowa chairman has left lagging campaign

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa chairman for Rick Perry's faltering Republican presidential bid says he is no longer part of the campaign as Perry seeks to keep his longshot effort alive on limited funds.

Sam Clovis said Monday that he had stepped down as Perry's state chairman. The former Texas governor has stopped paying his staff.  Clovis said he left because the campaign was in transition and because future compensation was uncertain. But he added that it was about more than the money.

Clovis called Perry a "remarkable man" and wished him well. He said he was not ready to talk about his next move.

Perry's spokeswoman says Perry is still campaigning heavily in Iowa, as well as in New Hampshire and South Carolina.