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On Dec. 14, 2021, attorney Eric Opiela challenged Perry's candidacy in a letter sent to the state Republican Party Chairman Matt Rinaldi. Rinaldi rejected Opiela's challenge on Dec. 15. In Texas, each party is responsible for overseeing partisan primary candidate filings. Under Texas law, candidates cannot file applications for a place on the ballot for two or more offices. Before declaring his candidacy for governor, Perry, who shares a name with former Gov. and U.S. Sec. of Energy Rick Perry (R), had previously filed to run for re-election as a Republican Party precinct chairman in Parker County. On Dec. 12, Perry emailed Parker County Republican Party Chairman J. Scott Utley withdrawing his candidacy for precinct chairman and resigning from the position. The following day, on Dec. 13, Perry declared his candidacy for governor. Opiela alleged that Perry's withdrawal was not valid because it was not notarized and, therefore, requested that Rinaldi reject Perry's candidacy.
