Perry, the longest-serving governor in the country who has accounted for 37 percent of all jobs created since the recession, will use his announcement to set the agenda for his presidential bid, focusing heavily on the need to fix the economy.

“Our nation cannot and must not endure four more years of aimless foreign policy,” Perry will say, according to prepared remarks. “We cannot and must not endure four more years of rising unemployment … rising taxes … rising debt … and rising energy dependence on nations that intend us harm. It is time to get America working again.”