Texas governor refuses to endorse GOP candidates after GOP candidate withdraws

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Sunday refused to endorse the Republican candidates in the 2016 presidential race after Trump’s withdrawal from the race, even after the Texas GOP endorsed a candidate who did not formally announce his candidacy.

A day after Trump announced he would not run, Abbott endorsed former House Speaker Tom Perriello and businessman Charlie Crist, the Texas Tribune reported.

But Abbott did not endorse Perry or his running mate, former House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who said he would continue to run in the general election in 2020.

Abbott said the two candidates would need to meet with the Texas Republican Party to formally declare their candidacy.

The state GOP does not have a process in place for such an endorsement.

“I will not endorse candidates until they’ve met with the Republican Party,” Abbott said on the ABC News Network.

The state GOP’s chair said Abbott did the right thing and that Perriell and Crist are “strong, principled conservatives” who are willing to work with Democrats on issues.

“Greg Abbott and I believe strongly that the Republican party has the best interest of Texans in mind,” state GOP Chairman Bill Baxley said in a statement.

“We are going to work together to build on that shared conviction.”

McCarthy said he was disappointed with the decision, but he plans to continue campaigning.

Perriello’s campaign said he is also expected to announce his endorsement in the coming days.