David Perdue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Perdue
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2025
|
|
| 14th United States Ambassador to China | |
| Assumed office May 16, 2025 |
|
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | R. Nicholas Burns |
| United States Senator from Georgia |
|
| In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2021 |
|
| Preceded by | Saxby Chambliss |
| Succeeded by | Jon Ossoff |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David Alfred Perdue Jr.
December 10, 1949 Macon, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Bonnie Dunn
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Sonny Perdue (cousin) |
| Residences | Sea Island, Georgia, U.S. |
| Education | Georgia Institute of Technology (BS, MS) |
| Occupation |
|
David Alfred Perdue Jr. (born December 10, 1949) is an American politician and businessman. He is currently serving as the United States ambassador to China. He started this role in May 2025.
Before becoming an ambassador, Perdue was a U.S. Senator for Georgia. He served from 2015 to 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party. In 2022, he ran for governor of Georgia but was not successful.
Perdue worked as a management consultant for 12 years. He then became a senior vice president and later CEO at Reebok. He also worked at PillowTex and was CEO of Dollar General.
He first ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014 and won. He ran for reelection in 2020 but lost to Jon Ossoff. After the 2020 presidential election, Perdue raised concerns about the election process in Georgia. He also supported efforts to challenge the election results.
Questions were raised about some of Perdue's stock trades while he was a senator. The U.S. Department of Justice looked into these questions but did not bring any charges.
On December 5, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump chose Perdue to be the new U.S. ambassador to China. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination on April 29, 2025. He officially started his role on May 16, 2025.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Georgia
David Perdue was born in Macon, Georgia. His parents, David Alfred Perdue Sr. and Gervaise Wynn, were both schoolteachers. His father was the superintendent of schools in Houston County, Georgia. He helped lead the schools through racial desegregation.
Perdue grew up in Warner Robins, Georgia. He graduated from Northside High School in 1968. He was a good student and an athlete. He also served as class president.
College Years
In 1968, Perdue attended the United States Air Force Academy for one year. He later transferred to Georgia Tech. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering in 1972. He also earned a master's degree in operations research in 1975.
David Perdue is the first cousin of Sonny Perdue. Sonny Perdue was a former governor of Georgia. He also served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
Business Career Highlights
Early Consulting and International Work
Perdue started his career in 1972 at Kurt Salmon Associates. This was a global consulting firm. He worked there for 12 years. From 1991 to 1992, he was a managing director for Gitano Group Inc. in Singapore.
In 1992, Perdue joined Sara Lee Corporation. He was the senior vice president of Asia operations. He helped find suppliers in China and Hong Kong. Later, he became senior vice president of operations at Haggar Clothing. He increased international production for the company.
Leading Major Companies
In 1998, Perdue joined Reebok. He became president and CEO of the Reebok Brand. He helped improve their sneaker line. He also made an important deal with the National Football League.
Perdue left Reebok in 2002 to become CEO of PillowTex. This was a textile company in North Carolina. He left the company in 2003. Pillowtex later closed its business.
After Pillowtex, Perdue became CEO of Dollar General. He helped improve the company's inventory and marketing. The company's stock price doubled, and they opened many new stores. He helped arrange the sale of Dollar General in 2007.
Later Business Ventures
From 2007 to 2009, Perdue worked as a consultant for Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd. In 2010, his cousin, then-governor Sonny Perdue, appointed him to the Georgia Ports Authority. In 2011, he started Perdue Partners, a global trading firm, with his cousin.
Perdue also served on the board of directors for Cardlytics, a data marketing firm. When Cardlytics became publicly owned, Perdue earned money from his shares.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution described Perdue as a "turnaround specialist." This means he was known for helping to improve companies. Much of his career involved finding ways to produce goods in other countries.
Political Career Journey
Running for U.S. Senate in 2014
Perdue used his business experience when he ran for the U.S. Senate. He highlighted his time at Dollar General. He said they added many stores and jobs. The National Federation of Independent Business supported him.
During the campaign, some people criticized his business career. They pointed out that some of his jobs involved moving work overseas. Perdue said he was "proud of" finding lower-cost labor.
Perdue won the election against Michelle Nunn.
Time as a U.S. Senator
Perdue became Georgia's senior senator in 2019. This happened after Johnny Isakson resigned.
As a senator, Perdue was one of the wealthiest members of the Senate.
Questions About Stock Trading
While in office, Perdue was very active in trading stocks. Many of his trades were in companies related to the committees he served on. For example, he traded stock in Regions Financial bank. He also supported a bill that would reduce rules for banks like Regions. His office stated that his stock trades were handled by his broker independently.
In 2020, Perdue sold over $1 million in stock of Cardlytics. This was weeks before its shares dropped. The Department of Justice looked into this. They concluded that Perdue had not broken any laws.
Perdue also bought stock in DuPont, a company that makes personal protective equipment. This was on the same day as a private Senate meeting about COVID-19. He also bought stocks in pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer. He sold stocks in companies like Caesars Entertainment, which closed during the pandemic. In May 2020, Perdue announced that his financial advisers would no longer buy and sell individual stocks. He said his advisers made the trades without his input.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
In March 2020, Perdue encouraged people to follow public health advice for COVID-19. He asked people to stay home if sick and wash their hands. In May, June, and July 2020, he asked Americans to wear masks.
In May 2020, Perdue said the U.S. had "ordinary flu seasons with more deaths" than the COVID-19 outbreak. However, at that time, COVID-19 deaths were higher than average flu deaths. Medical experts predicted COVID-19 would be much deadlier than the flu.
Perdue supported Georgia ending its lockdowns early. He said, "We've got to get this economy open again." Georgia later saw a rise in COVID-19 cases.
2020–21 U.S. Senate Campaign
Perdue ran for reelection in 2020. During his campaign, he made claims about his opponent, Jon Ossoff. He also ran an ad that was criticized for its image of Ossoff. Perdue's campaign removed the ad and said it was a mistake.
In October 2020, Perdue was criticized for mispronouncing Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris's name. A spokesman said he simply mispronounced it.
Perdue lost the election to Jon Ossoff in a runoff election on January 5, 2021. His term ended on January 3, 2021. Perdue later accepted his defeat.
2022 Georgia Gubernatorial Election
Former president Donald Trump encouraged Perdue to run for governor of Georgia in 2022. Perdue announced his challenge against Governor Brian Kemp in December 2021. He said he would not have approved the 2020 election results if he had been governor. He also promised to create a new police unit for election fraud.
Perdue lost the primary election to Governor Kemp by a large margin.
Ambassador to China (2025–present)
.jpg)
On December 5, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced Perdue as his choice for United States ambassador to China. His confirmation hearing was held on April 3, 2025.
During his hearing, Perdue said that the U.S. and China would have disagreements. He also said they should find areas where their interests are similar. The U.S. Senate confirmed him on April 29, 2025.
On May 7, 2025, President Donald Trump officially swore in Perdue as ambassador. Perdue arrived in China on May 15, 2025. The next day, he presented his credentials to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Political Views
Environment and Climate Change
Perdue does not agree with the scientific consensus on climate change. He has criticized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He supported Trump's choice for EPA administrator. Perdue was one of 22 senators who asked Trump to leave the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.
Relationship with President Donald Trump
.jpg)
Perdue was a close supporter of President Trump during his time in the Senate. He sometimes disagreed with Trump on tariffs. Perdue initially did not support Trump's proposed tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum. However, he later came to support them.
In January 2018, Perdue attended a White House meeting. Some people said Trump used strong language about certain countries. Perdue said he did not remember Trump using those specific words.
Economy
.jpg)
In December 2017, Perdue voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He believed that tax cuts could lead to more economic growth.
Perdue supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. This would require the government to spend only what it takes in.
In September 2018, Perdue voted against a large spending bill. This bill was meant to prevent a government shutdown.
Perdue opposed a proposed Rivian electric vehicle factory near Atlanta. He criticized the company and the taxpayer incentives for it.
Foreign Policy
In March 2017, Perdue supported a bill called the Israel Anti-Boycott Act. This bill would make it a federal crime to encourage boycotts against Israel.
In November 2019, Perdue blocked a vote on recognizing the Armenian genocide. This was at the White House's request.
In January 2020, Perdue supported the U.S. military's assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
Health Care
Perdue opposed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). He voted to repeal it. In 2017, he supported replacing Obamacare with the Better Care Reconciliation Act.
During his 2020 reelection campaign, Perdue said he believed in protections for people with existing health conditions. He said health insurance should always cover these conditions. However, PolitiFact rated this claim as "false." They noted his opposition to Obamacare and support for policies that might not cover all existing conditions.
Immigration
In 2017, Perdue and Tom Cotton supported the RAISE Act. This plan would reduce legal immigration to the U.S. by 50% over 10 years. It would also change how families can reunite and end the diversity visa lottery.
In June 2019, Perdue supported Trump's decision to place tariffs on Mexico. This was meant to stop illegal immigration from Mexico. Perdue said, "We're being invaded right now."
Education
Perdue opposed the Common Core plan. He said he supported the "original intent" but disagreed with the "details." He believed Common Core had become too broad and should be stopped.
Same-Sex Marriage
Perdue opposed same-sex marriage. After the Supreme Court ruled it constitutional in 2015, he supported a law. This law would allow federal workers to oppose same-sex marriage based on their beliefs.
Personal Life
David Perdue married Bonnie Dunn in August 1972. They live in Sea Island, Georgia. They have two sons, David A. Perdue III and Blake Perdue. They also have three grandchildren. Their daughter died in infancy.
Images for kids
-
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Perdue after swearing him in as US ambassador to China (2025)
-
Perdue with China's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Hong Lei, May 2025
-
Perdue with Neil Gorsuch in 2017
-
Perdue with Brett Kavanaugh in 2018
-
Perdue with Amy Coney Barrett in 2020 in the Mansfield room in the Senate
-
Perdue's official Senate portrait, 2016
-
Perdue (right) with Republican Senator Tom Cotton and President Donald Trump.
-
Perdue at the 2016 Republican National Convention
See also
In Spanish: David Perdue para niños
