Gov. Rick Perry speaks during a ceremonial signing of a water fund bill, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — He’s been to California and Illinois. Now Gov. Rick Perry’s job-poaching tour is adding two more stops: New York and Connecticut.

The Republican is heading to traditionally Democratic-leaning states, trying to convince employers to move to low-tax, low-regulation Texas.

Perry’s latest trip begins Sunday and includes meetings with business leaders in the guns, pharmaceutical and financial industries.

It also features a $1 million ad buy for two 30-second television spots that began running statewide Monday in New York and Connecticut.

They feature Dallas Cowboy great Emmitt Smith and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez singing Texas’ praises. Perry says into the camera: “Texas is calling. Your opportunity awaits.”

Perry’s past tours this year took him to Los Angeles and Chicago. They too included small ad buys that attracted lots of media attention.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.