http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=14215
Perry, 50, is also a microcosm of recent trends in state politics. The state chairman of Al Gore’s 1988 presidential bid, Perry comes from a family of Texas Democrats.
"we may have named (Perry) to a steering committee or as one of several campaign co-chairs, typically honorific titles with no real role ... (Perry) wasn't highly involved in the campaign, however, and had zero operational responsibility."
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2011/sep/07/legend-al-gore-and-rick-perry/
Perry was a young Democrat at the time and he endorsed Gore over Michael Dukakis, Gephardt and Jesse Jackson seeing Gore as the more Conservative of those running. He has also stated the he personally voted for George HW Bush in that election.