Washington ( CNN ) -- Texas Gov . Rick Perry may not be dancing with rabbis this Hanukkah season* , but the Lone Star State 's outgoing chief is still looking to find common ground with the Chosen . Perry released a statement on the first night of Hanukkah comparing the plight of the Maccabeesâ€ ” Jewish rebels who fought back the Seleucid Empire in the second century B.C.â€ ” to that of American tea partiers under British rule . `` It is fitting that the first night of Chanukah falls this year on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party , '' Perry said in a statement Tuesday . `` The same spirit of freedom that inspired the Maccabees to rise up against a foreign empire motivated our Founding Fathers to rebel against the Crown on that fateful night . They knew , as the Jewish people know , that the few can overcome the many , that right can defeat might , that faith can transcend persecution . No matter how vast the darkness , all it takes is one candle to spread the light . '' Perry , who has hinted at a second run for the presidency in 2016 , also used the occasion as a reminder of his support for the modern Jewish state , a must for any White House candidate . `` Our Republic , like the light of the ancient Menorah , has lasted longer than anyone could have predicted . America remains a beacon of hope in difficult times for the world , he said . `` And Chanukah reminds us of the power of faith to sustain a nation and ensure the security of our ally , Israel . '' But the award for best attempt at Jewish outreach from a gentile governor with White House dreams goes to Wisconsin Republican Gov . Scott Walker . The son of a Baptist preacher , Walker , in an undated letter released in an August document dump but which did n't surface in the media until this December , concluded his correspondence to a constituent asking if he would light a Menorah in the state capitol for Hanukkah with the words , `` Thank you again and Molotov . '' Presumably , he meant , `` mazel tov . '' From all pandering politicians out there , Happy Hanukkah . . *Perry did , in fact dance with rabbis after this article was published . Watch here : https : //vine.co/v/Ognzm7iu1ev .
The outgoing Texas Governor made a political statement with his Hanukkah well-wishing .