Rick Perry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rick Perry
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 (1950-03-04) March 4, 1950 (age 75) Haskell, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican (since 1989)
Other political affiliations	Democratic (before 1989)
Spouse	Anita Thigpen ​ (m. 1982)​
Children	2
Education	Texas A&M University (BS)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	US Air Force
Years of service	1972–1977
Rank	Captain
Unit	772nd Tactical Airlift Squadron

James Richard Perry (born March 4, 1950) is an American politician. He served as the 14th United States Secretary of Energy from 2017 to 2019. Before that, he was the 47th governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015. He also ran for President of the United States in 2012 and 2016.

Perry grew up on a cotton farm in Haskell, Texas. After college, he joined the United States Air Force. He served for five years and became a captain. In 1977, he returned to Texas and started his political career. He was first a Democrat and later switched to the Republican party in 1989.

Early Life and Education

Rick Perry was born on March 4, 1950, in Haskell, Texas. He grew up in Paint Creek, Texas. His parents, Joseph Ray Perry and Amelia June Holt Perry, were cotton farmers. His family has lived in Texas for many generations.

His father was a county commissioner and school board member. Perry became interested in politics when he was young. He was also an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

College Years

Perry went to Texas A&M University. He was part of the school's Corps of Cadets. He also joined the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He was a "yell leader" and helped with the school's Aggie Bonfire. In 1972, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science.

First Jobs and Military Service

In the early 1970s, Perry worked selling books door-to-door during the summers. He said this job taught him how to communicate well.

After college, Perry joined the United States Air Force in 1972. He became a pilot in 1974. He flew Lockheed C-130 Hercules planes for the 772nd Tactical Airlift Squadron. He helped with drought relief in Africa in 1974. He also helped with earthquake relief in Guatemala in 1976. He left the Air Force in 1977 as a captain. Then, he went back to Texas to farm cotton with his father.

Early Political Career

Perry with President George H. W. Bush in 1990

Texas Legislature

In 1984, Perry was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He represented district 64 as a Democrat. He served three two-year terms. He worked on committees that handled the state's money. At one point, a newspaper called him one of the most effective lawmakers.

In 1989, Perry decided to switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. He said that President Ronald Reagan helped him decide to become a Republican.

Agriculture Commissioner

In 1990, Perry ran for Agriculture Commissioner of Texas as a Republican. He won the election. As Agriculture Commissioner, he worked to promote Texas farm products. He also made sure that things like gas pumps and grocery scales were correct.

In 1994, Perry was re-elected as Agriculture Commissioner by a large number of votes.

Lieutenant Governor

In 1998, Perry ran for Lieutenant Governor of Texas. He won this election too. He became the first Republican Lieutenant Governor of Texas since the Reconstruction era. He took office on January 19, 1999.

Governor of Texas

President George W. Bush and Texas Governor Rick Perry shake hands September 27, 2005, after a question-and-answer session at the Port Arthur airport. Port Arthur suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Rita.

Perry became governor on December 21, 2000. This happened after Governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry then won the election for governor in 2002. He was re-elected two more times, in 2006 and 2010.

He became the longest-serving governor in Texas history. He served for 14 years.

Fiscal Policies

As governor, Perry often talked about job growth and taxes. He was against creating a state income tax. Texas saw economic success during his time as governor. He supported giving money to businesses to help them grow.

Healthcare Views

Perry speaking at the Houston Technology Center in 2010

Perry was against federal healthcare reform plans. He focused on changing laws about lawsuits in healthcare in Texas. In 2007, he issued an order for Texas girls to get the HPV vaccine. This vaccine helps protect against some types of cervical cancer. He later changed his mind and said the order was a "mistake." The Texas Legislature then passed a bill to undo his order.

Religious Beliefs

Perry speaking at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland

Perry grew up in the United Methodist Church. Later, he and his family started attending a non-denominational church. He believes that government should not favor one specific faith. However, he also thinks that religious ideas should be part of public discussions.

In 2011, Perry called for a Day of Prayer and Fasting in Texas. He also believes in intelligent design. This is the idea that life is too complex to have happened by chance. He thinks this idea should be taught in schools along with evolution.

Education Initiatives

In 2005, Perry said he wanted to make sure teachers got pay raises. He also wanted to improve textbooks and education technology. He supported a law that allowed some students who grew up in Texas to pay in-state tuition at public colleges. This was for students who met Texas residency rules.

Gun Ownership

Perry strongly supports the right to own guns. He has a high rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund. He also has a license to carry a concealed weapon. He signed several laws that made it easier for people to get these licenses.

Mexico Border Security

In 2005, Perry started Operation Linebacker. This was to help secure the Texas-Mexico border. He continued to launch operations and get state money for border security. In 2014, he sent 1,000 National Guard troops to the border. This was during a time when many people were crossing the border without permission.

Perry has changed his views on building a wall along the border. He was once against it. But after Donald Trump won the Republican nomination in 2016, Perry supported Trump's idea for a border wall.

Retirement as Governor

By the end of his third full term, Perry had served over 14 years as governor. This made him the longest-serving governor in Texas history. On July 8, 2013, he announced that he would not run for re-election. He retired from office on January 20, 2015.

Presidential Campaigns

2012 Presidential Campaign

Perry campaigning at the Iowa State Fair, August 14, 2011

Rick Perry was considered a possible candidate for president as early as 2008. He officially started his campaign on August 13, 2011. At first, he raised a lot of money and was seen as a strong candidate. However, he struggled during the debates. His support in polls began to drop. After poor results in early elections, he ended his campaign on January 19, 2012.

2016 Presidential Campaign

Rick Perry speaking at 2015 First in the Nation Republican Leadership Summit in New Hampshire

Perry launched his second presidential campaign on June 4, 2015. However, his campaign did not get much support or media attention. He withdrew from the race on September 11, 2015. He was the first major candidate to drop out.

After ending his campaign, Perry first supported Ted Cruz for president. Later, he endorsed Donald Trump after Trump won the Republican nomination.

Secretary of Energy

Perry at the 2017 Energy Project Management Awards on March 22, 2017

Perry with Joe Manchin, Shelley Moore Capito, and David McKinley in 2017

On December 14, 2016, President-elect Trump chose Perry to be the United States Secretary of Energy. Some people were surprised by this choice. During his 2012 presidential campaign, Perry had said he wanted to get rid of the Department of Energy. He even forgot its name during a debate.

The United States Senate approved his nomination on March 2, 2017. As Secretary of Energy, Perry ordered a study of the U.S. electric power grid. He also talked about climate change. He said that humans do have an effect on the Earth's temperature.

In November 2018, the U.S. became a net exporter of oil for one week. This meant it sold more oil to other countries than it bought. On October 17, 2019, Perry told Trump he would resign. He left office on December 1, 2019.

Life Outside Politics

In February 2015, Perry joined the boards of directors for two energy companies, Energy Transfer Partners and Sunoco Partners. He resigned from these boards in December 2016. In 2020, he rejoined the board of Energy Transfer. He also joined MCNA Dental's board of directors.

Dancing with the Stars

In 2016, Rick Perry was a contestant on season 23 of the TV show Dancing with the Stars. He danced with professional dancer Emma Slater. They were eliminated in the third week of the competition. They finished in 12th place.

Personal Life

In 1982, Rick Perry married Mary Anita Thigpen. They had known each other since elementary school. They have two adult children, Griffin and Sydney. Anita Perry is a nurse. She has worked on many health-related projects.

Perry has also appeared in a few movies. He played himself in films like Man of the House. He is a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He received their Gold Good Citizenship Medal.

Electoral History

See also

In Spanish: Rick Perry para niños

• Republican Party presidential candidates, 2016
• List of American politicians who switched parties in office
• Political positions of Rick Perry