In Iowa, Perry says his record in Texas speaks for itself

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is holding up his home state as a model for economic revival in an Iowa speech with echoes from his 2012 run for president.

Perry is preparing for another presidential bid, telling Iowa Republicans at a forum Saturday that jobs gained on his watch and state-based efforts to control the southern U.S. border are concrete examples of his leadership.

His full-throated remarks to the conservative Iowa Freedom Summit are reminiscent of past campaign speeches. He called for a firmer line of defense against new terror threats and eased environmental regulation.

Perry left office this month after 14 years, the longest-serving governor in Texas history.