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 and businessman. He served as the 31st United States secretary of agriculture from 2017 to 2021. Before that, he was the 81st governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011. He was also a member of the Georgia State Senate from 1991 to 2002.
Perdue was the first Republican to be elected governor of Georgia since the Reconstruction era. He was reelected in 2006. In 2017, President Donald Trump chose him to be the Secretary of Agriculture. He served in this role for Trump's entire term.
Since April 1, 2022, Perdue has been the 14th chancellor of the University System of Georgia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sonny Perdue was born in Perry, Georgia. His mother, Ophie Viola (Holt), was a teacher, and his father, George Ervin Perdue Jr., was a farmer. He grew up in Bonaire, where he still lives 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.
Perdue played quarterback at Warner Robins High School. He later attended the University of Georgia, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. In 1971, he earned his degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). He worked as a veterinarian before starting his own small businesses.
It's important to know that Sonny Perdue is not related to the family who owns and runs Perdue Farms, which is famous for "Perdue Chicken."
His Career Journey
Perdue served in the U.S. Air Force. He reached the rank of captain before he left the service.
State Senator (1991–2002)
In the 1980s, Perdue worked on the Houston County Planning & Zoning Commission. In 1990, he was elected as a Democrat to the Georgia General Assembly as a state senator for the 18th district.
He was reelected as a Democrat in 1994 and 1996. 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, Perdue left his role as state senator to run for Governor of Georgia.
Becoming Governor
In the 2002 election, Sonny Perdue won against the Democratic governor, Roy Barnes. This made him the first Republican governor of Georgia in 131 years. In 2006, he was re-elected for a second term.
Key Actions as Governor
Economic Ideas
Perdue wanted to make government more efficient. He pushed for selling extra state vehicles and properties to save money. He also signed an order that stopped state employees, including himself, from taking gifts worth more than $25.
Education Changes
In education, Perdue believed that local communities should make most of the decisions. During his time as governor, Georgia's SAT scores improved. He also supported more opportunities for charter schools and private schools.
Georgia State Flag
In 2001, the previous governor changed the state flag. This new flag was not very popular. Perdue promised that citizens would get to vote on a new flag. The choices were a modified version of an older Confederate flag or the unpopular 2001 flag. The 1956 flag, which had a Confederate battle flag design, was not included in the vote.
Environmental Views
In 2004, Perdue sued the Environmental Protection Agency to stop some environmental rules on gasoline. Later, in 2014, he wrote that some people's ideas about climate change were "ridiculous." However, in 2020, he supported the idea of putting a price on carbon dioxide, which is a way to encourage businesses to reduce pollution.
Immigration Laws
In 2006, Perdue signed a law that made Georgia's rules against illegal immigration some of the strictest in the country.
Georgia Drought
In 2007, Georgia was going through a very bad drought. Perdue led a prayer gathering at the state Capitol, asking for rain.
Disaster Preparedness
In 2008, Perdue worked with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to start the Ready Georgia campaign. This program aimed to help people across the state be more prepared for disasters. The next year, Georgia experienced severe floods, and Perdue declared a state of emergency in many counties.
After Being Governor
After his time as governor ended in 2011, Perdue started a company called Perdue Partners. This company helped export U.S. goods and services to other countries.
Secretary of Agriculture (2017–2021)
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Nomination and Approval
On January 18, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that he would nominate Perdue to be the United States Secretary of Agriculture. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination on April 24, 2017. He was sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
His Time as Secretary
As Secretary of Agriculture, Perdue focused on several important areas. He worked to help new farmers get started in agriculture. In August 2017, he announced a program to mentor new farmers.
He also worked on:
- Helping communities in rural areas.
- Making it easier for farmers to operate with fewer rules.
- Increasing how much the U.S. exports in agriculture.
- Passing the 2018 farm bill, which is a major law for farming.
- Dealing with crop damage caused by a chemical called dicamba.
In December 2018, he made changes to the nutrition rules for school lunches. These changes allowed more refined grains, milk with added sugar, and more sodium. In February 2020, Perdue supported the idea of putting a price on carbon dioxide. This policy aims to encourage farmers to find new ways to store carbon in the soil.
Personal Life
Sonny Perdue and his wife, Mary (née Ruff), were married 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. Sonny Perdue lives in Bonaire, Georgia.
Perdue enjoys sports and flying. In 2006, while he was still governor, he made a small appearance in the movie We Are Marshall.
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
In Spanish: Sonny Perdue para niños
- List of American politicians who switched parties in office
- List of governors of Georgia
