Former Texas Governor Rick Perry was in Knoxville on Saturday for his first appearance in Marion County as he seeks the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

Perry spoke to an enthusiastic standing room only crowd of approximately 125 people at the Coffee Connection. Perry stressed his executive experience in leading the Texas economy into prosperity, his family values, and his military background as providing him the experience necessary to lead our country.

Meanwhile, the next presidential hopeful to visit Knoxville will be be Republican Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina. He’ll be at the VFW this Saturday beginning at 1:30pm.