Rick Perry Uses Snapchat Before Formally Announcing Presidential Candidacy

Howdy, millennials. That's the message Rick Perry sent when he took to Snapchat to ask for votes before stepping onstage to make his first speech as an announced candidate for the White House.

"I'm about to go on stage and announce for the presidency of the United States. I hope I gain your support," he said in the 5-second video on the disappearing messaging app before stepping onstage in Addison, Texas, a Dallas suburb. In case you weren't following him already, he uploaded the video to Twitter:

The former Texas governor officially announced his presidential run Thursday in a video on his newly minted website.

The candidate joined Snapchat as governorperry Wednesday night. In a tweet, he said he would be using the app throughout his campaign.

Former CNN national reporter Peter Hamby tweeted the news. Snapchat hired him as its first head of news in April. Shortly after he was hired, Hamby said he would be focused on bringing "credible news content" to Snapchat, Politico reports. Indeed, with the Perry announcement, it is evident that he will follow politics on the app.

Perry isn't the only 2016 presidential contender on Snapchat. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, is also on the app as GovernorOMalley. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., joined the app in January 2014 and told Politico that Snapchat is key part of his digital strategy in the 2016 race, especially for reaching young audiences.