Rick Perry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rick Perry
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Official portrait, 2017
|
|
| 14th United States Secretary of Energy | |
| In office March 2, 2017 – December 1, 2019 |
|
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Dan Brouillette |
| Preceded by | Ernest Moniz |
| Succeeded by | Dan Brouillette |
| 47th Governor of Texas | |
| In office December 21, 2000 – January 20, 2015 |
|
| Lieutenant | Bill Ratliff David Dewhurst |
| Preceded by | George W. Bush |
| Succeeded by | Greg Abbott |
| 39th Lieutenant Governor of Texas | |
| In office January 19, 1999 – December 21, 2000 |
|
| Governor | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Bob Bullock |
| Succeeded by | Bill Ratliff |
| 9th Agriculture Commissioner of Texas | |
| In office January 15, 1991 – January 19, 1999 |
|
| Governor | Ann Richards George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Jim Hightower |
| Succeeded by | Susan Combs |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 64th district |
|
| In office January 8, 1985 – January 8, 1991 |
|
| Preceded by | Joe Hanna |
| Succeeded by | John R. Cook |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Richard Perry
March 4, 1950 Haskell, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (since 1989) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic (before 1989) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Texas A&M University (BS) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1972–1977 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 772nd Tactical Airlift Squadron |
James Richard "Rick" Perry (born March 4, 1950) is an American politician. He served as the 14th United States Secretary of Energy from 2017 to 2019 under President Donald Trump. Before that, he was the 47th Governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015. Perry also ran for the Republican nomination for president in 2012 and 2016.
Perry grew up in a farming family in Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1972. After college, he joined the United States Air Force and served for five years as a pilot, reaching the rank of captain.
He began his political career in the Texas House of Representatives in 1985. He was first a Democrat but switched to the Republican party in 1989. He was later elected as the Agriculture Commissioner of Texas and then as the Lieutenant Governor of Texas.
In 2000, Perry became governor when George W. Bush was elected president. He was re-elected three times and became the longest-serving governor in Texas history. As governor, he was known for his conservative views.
After leaving the governor's office, Perry was appointed as Secretary of Energy by President Trump. He left this position in December 2019.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Rick Perry was born on March 4, 1950, in Haskell, Texas. He grew up on his family's cotton farm. His family has lived in Texas for many generations, even before the Texas Revolution. His father was a local county commissioner and school board member.
Perry was active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. This is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts.
College and Military Service
Perry went to Texas A&M University. He was a member of the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets and was chosen as one of the school's five "yell leaders," who are like cheerleaders at other schools. He graduated in 1972 with a degree in animal science.
After graduating, Perry joined the United States Air Force. He trained as a pilot and flew large cargo planes called C-130s. He flew missions to help with drought relief in Africa and earthquake relief in Guatemala. He left the Air Force in 1977 as a captain and returned to Texas to farm with his father.
Political Career in Texas
.jpg)
In 1984, Perry was elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat. He was known for supporting careful government spending. In 1989, he switched parties and became a Republican.
Agriculture Commissioner
In 1990, Perry ran for Texas Agriculture Commissioner as a Republican and won. In this job, he was in charge of promoting Texas farm products and making sure that things like gas pumps and grocery store scales were accurate. He was re-elected in 1994.
Lieutenant Governor
In 1998, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas. He was the first Republican to hold this office in Texas since the 1800s. The lieutenant governor is the second-highest official in the state government.
Governor of Texas (2000–2015)
Perry became governor in December 2000 after Governor George W. Bush resigned to become president. Perry won his first full term as governor in 2002. He was re-elected in 2006 and 2010, making him the longest-serving governor in the state's history.
Policies as Governor
As governor, Perry was known for his conservative policies. He focused on job growth and was against creating a state income tax. He also signed laws that supported the right to own guns.
Perry supported the death penalty. In one case, he changed a death sentence to life in prison for a man named Kenneth Foster. Perry said he had doubts about the law used in the case.
In 2001, Perry signed a law that allowed some students who were not U.S. citizens to pay the same college tuition as Texas residents. He said he was proud of this law.
Perry also had strong views on social issues. He supported a state constitutional amendment in 2005 that defined marriage as only between a man and a woman.
Veto Disagreement
In 2014, Perry faced a legal challenge over his use of the governor's veto power. He had threatened to cut funding for a state office unless the district attorney in charge resigned. A grand jury looked into the matter, but the charges were later dismissed. The courts ruled that his actions were allowed under the Texas Constitution.
Presidential Campaigns
Perry ran for the Republican nomination for president two times.
2012 Campaign
Perry announced his first campaign for president in August 2011. At first, he was very popular and raised a lot of money. However, his support dropped after he struggled in some of the debates. He ended his campaign in January 2012.
2016 Campaign
Perry ran for president again in 2015. His second campaign did not gain as much support. He withdrew from the race in September 2015. After he dropped out, he first supported Senator Ted Cruz and later endorsed Donald Trump for president.
Secretary of Energy (2017–2019)
In December 2016, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Perry to be the Secretary of Energy. Some people were surprised because, during his 2012 campaign, Perry had said he wanted to get rid of the Department of Energy.
The United States Senate confirmed him, and he took office on March 2, 2017. As secretary, he ordered a study of the country's electric grid. He also spoke about climate change, saying that humans do have an effect on the climate.
Involvement in Ukraine Discussions
.jpg)
In 2019, Perry became involved in discussions related to the country of Ukraine. He was part of a group of officials who managed the relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine. He attended the inauguration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
These discussions later became part of an impeachment inquiry into President Trump. Trump said he had called the Ukrainian president at Perry's suggestion. Perry said he only suggested they talk about energy. He resigned as Secretary of Energy on December 1, 2019.
Life After Politics
After leaving his government position, Perry joined the boards of several energy companies.
In 2016, he was a contestant on the TV show Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with professional dancer Emma Slater. They finished in 12th place.
Personal Life
Perry married his childhood sweetheart, Anita Thigpen, in 1982. They have two children, a son named Griffin and a daughter named Sydney.
Perry has appeared in small roles in a few movies, including Man of the House. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, a group for people whose ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War.
See also
- Republican Party presidential candidates, 2016
- List of American politicians who switched parties in office
- Political positions of Rick Perry
