Perry Loses Iowa Campaign Chairman

_{Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout.}

WASHINGTON — The top Iowa Republican behind former Gov. 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 as Perry's state chairman. 

"I feel bad for the campaign and I feel bad for Governor Perry because I think he’s a marvelous human being, he’s a great man and it was my honor to be a part of this, but it was just time to move on," Clovis told The Washington Post on Monday.

"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."