Sonny Perdue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sonny Perdue
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Official portrait, 2017
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| 14th Chancellor of the University System of Georgia | |
| Assumed office April 1, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Wrigley Teresa MacCartney (acting) |
| 31st United States Secretary of Agriculture | |
| In office April 25, 2017 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Mike Young (acting) Stephen Censky |
| Preceded by | Tom Vilsack |
| Succeeded by | Tom Vilsack |
| 81st Governor of Georgia | |
| In office January 13, 2003 – January 10, 2011 |
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| Lieutenant | Mark Taylor Casey Cagle |
| Preceded by | Roy Barnes |
| Succeeded by | Nathan Deal |
| Member of the Georgia State Senate from the 18th district |
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| In office January 9, 1991 – January 9, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Ed Barker |
| Succeeded by | Michael J. Moore |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Ervin Perdue III
December 20, 1946 Perry, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (1998–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic (before 1998) |
| Spouse |
Mary Ruff
(m. 1972) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Relatives | David Perdue (cousin) |
| Education | University of Georgia (BS, DVM) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1971–1974 |
| Rank |  Captain |
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III (born December 20, 1946) is an American politician, veterinarian, and businessman. He has held several important roles in government. From 2017 to 2021, he served as the 31st United States Secretary of Agriculture. Before that, he was the 81st Governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011. He also served as a member of the Georgia State Senate from 1991 to 2002.
Sonny Perdue was the first Republican to become Governor of Georgia since the time after the American Civil War. He was re-elected in 2006 with a large number of votes. In 2017, President Donald Trump chose him to be the Secretary of Agriculture. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination, and he served throughout Trump's presidency. In 2022, he became the 14th Chancellor of the University System of Georgia.
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Early Life and Education
Sonny Perdue was born in Perry, Georgia, on December 20, 1946. His mother, Ophie Viola Holt, was a teacher, and his father, George Ervin Perdue Jr., was a farmer. He grew up in Bonaire, Georgia, and still lives there today. Even though his birth name is George Ervin Perdue III, everyone has called him Sonny since he was a child. He prefers to use that name for official documents too.
When he was in high school, Perdue played quarterback for Warner Robins High School. He later attended the University of Georgia. In 1971, he earned his degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Before entering politics, he worked as a veterinarian and started three small businesses.
Career in Public Service
Before his political career, Sonny Perdue served in the United States Air Force. He reached the rank of captain before leaving the service.
State Senator (1991–2002)
In the 1980s, Perdue was part of the Houston County Planning & Zoning Commission. In 1990, he successfully ran for a seat in the Georgia General Assembly as a Democrat. He served as a state senator for the 18th district.
He was re-elected several times as a Democrat. From 1994 to 1997, he was his party's leader in the Senate. In 1998, he changed his political party from Democrat to Republican. He was then re-elected to the State Senate as a Republican in 1998 and 2000.
Governor of Georgia (2003–2011)
In December 2001, Sonny Perdue left his role as state senator to run for Governor of Georgia.
Elections
In the 2002 Georgia gubernatorial election, he won against the Democratic governor, Roy Barnes. Perdue received 51% of the votes. This made him the first Republican governor of Georgia in 131 years.
In 2006, Perdue was re-elected for his second term as governor. He won with almost 58% of the votes.
Key Actions as Governor
As governor, Perdue worked on several important issues for Georgia.
- Economic Efforts: He worked to make government more efficient. He also started a program called "Go Fish Georgia" to encourage fishing tourism in the state.
- Education Improvements: Perdue wanted local communities to have more say in education decisions. During his time, Georgia's SAT scores improved, moving up in national rankings. He also supported more opportunities for charter schools and private schools.
- Georgia State Flag: In 2001, the state flag was changed. During his 2002 campaign, Perdue promised to let the people of Georgia vote on the state flag. A new flag design was chosen by the voters.
- Environmental Views: Perdue took action on environmental issues. He also shared his views on climate change, saying it was related to "weather patterns."
- Immigration Laws: In 2006, he signed a law that made Georgia's rules against illegal immigration stricter.
- Drought Response: In 2007, when Georgia faced a severe drought, Perdue led a public prayer for rain at the state Capitol.
- Disaster Preparedness: In 2008, he worked with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to start "Ready Georgia." This campaign helped people prepare for disasters across the state.
Post-Governorship Activities
After his second term, Sonny Perdue could not run for governor again due to state rules. In 2011, he started a company called Perdue Partners. This company helped export goods and services from the U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture (2017–2021)
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On January 18, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that he would nominate Sonny Perdue to be the United States Secretary of Agriculture. The Senate approved his nomination on April 24, and he was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
As Secretary of Agriculture, Perdue focused on several areas:
- Supporting Farmers: He worked to help new farmers get started in agriculture. He also created a mentoring program for them.
- Rural Communities: He aimed to assist communities in rural areas.
- Reducing Regulations: He worked to make it easier for farmers to operate by reducing some rules.
- Increasing Exports: He focused on helping U.S. agricultural products be sold more overseas.
- Farm Bill: He played a key role in passing the 2018 United States farm bill.
- School Lunches: In 2018, he made changes to school lunch nutrition standards.
- Climate Change Views: In interviews, Perdue stated that climate change could be linked to "weather patterns."
- USDA Agency Moves: In 2019, he ordered two USDA agencies to move from Washington, D.C., to the Kansas City metropolitan area. This move caused many employees to leave their jobs.
Personal Life
Sonny Perdue married Mary Ruff in 1972. They have four children: Leigh, Lara, Jim, and Dan. They also have 14 grandchildren. The Perdues have also been foster parents to many children over the years. He lives in Bonaire, Georgia.
Perdue enjoys sports and flying. In 2006, while he was governor, he made a small appearance in the movie We Are Marshall. He played the coach of the East Carolina Pirates football team.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2017
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Perdue (far right) and other U.S. state governors with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
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Perdue greeting President George W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush in July 2005
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Perdue in March 2007
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Perdue campaigning for former U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) in December 2008
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Perdue and then Vice President Joe Biden tour Impulse Manufacturing in Dawsonville, Georgia, December 2009
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Perdue with U.S. Navy sailors in October 2010
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Perdue being sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas in April 2017
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Secretary Perdue tours a family rose farm in Litchfield Park, Arizona, November 2017
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Perdue with President Donald Trump in October 2018
See also
- List of American politicians who switched parties in office
- List of governors of Georgia
