ROUND ROCK, Texas -- Rick Perry says he's not used to losing but vows not to slip off into the sunset.

The Texas governor says, "we've got plenty of work to do right here in the state of Texas." He spoke Monday at a Williamson County Republican Party dinner north of Austin.

It was Perry's first public appearance in Texas since he abandoned his run for the GOP presidential nomination Jan. 19.

Perry roared into the race in August, but debate flubs and public gaffes saw his popularity sink.

He had kept a low profile since returning home and a recent poll commissioned by state newspapers showed his standing plummeting even among Texans.

Perry's team says it isn't ruling out another run for governor in 2014 or even a second try at the presidency.