Perry loses Iowa campaign chairman

The top Iowa Republican behind Rick Perry's presidential campaign announced Monday that he was leaving the operation.

Sam Clovis, a well-known conservative radio personality in Iowa, told the Associated Press he had stepped down from his position as Perry's state chairman.

This month, Perry's campaign confirmed that the organization did not have the funds to pay staffers, though it said many staffers were staying on as volunteers. Iowa staffers flanked Perry on a swing through Iowa last week, although Clovis was not visibly on the trail with the former Texas governor.

"Gov. Perry remains committed to competing in Iowa, as well as South Carolina and New Hampshire, and there are many people across the country who continue to work to elect Rick Perry as president," said Perry spokeswoman Lucy Nashed. "We wish Sam the best in his next endeavor."