Sonny Perdue Bio
George Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III, born on 20 December 1946, is an American politician, veterinarian, and businessman whose career has spanned state and federal government. He served as the 81st Governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011 and as the 31st United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2017 to 2021. A Republican since 1998, Perdue previously served in the Georgia State Senate, representing the 18th district from 1991 to 2002. In 2022, he was appointed chancellor of the University System of Georgia, a role he continues to hold.
Early Life and Background
Sonny Perdue was born in Perry, Georgia, the son of Ophie Viola (Holt), a teacher, and George Ervin Perdue Jr., a farmer. He grew up in Bonaire, an unincorporated community located between Perry and Warner Robins, and still considers it his home. Although his given name is George Ervin Perdue III, he has been called Sonny since childhood and signs official documents by that name. He is the first cousin of former U.S. Senator David Perdue; the two share a great-grandfather, George Ervin Perdue I.
Perdue attended Warner Robins High School, where he played quarterback on the football team. He then enrolled at the University of Georgia, where he walked on as a college player and joined the Beta-Lambda chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity. In 2005, the fraternity recognized him as Kappa Sigma Man of the Year. In 1971, Perdue earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and later worked briefly as a veterinarian before transitioning to small business ownership.
Path to US Politics
Perdue began his path in public service on the Houston County Planning and Zoning Commission during the 1980s. In 1990, he ran as a Democrat for a seat in the Georgia State Senate, defeating Republican Ned Sanders and succeeding Democratic incumbent Ed Barker as the senator for the 18th district. His early legislative work spanned committees on Ethics, Finance and Public Utilities, Health and Human Services, Reapportionment, and Economic Development, Tourism and Cultural Affairs.
He was elected as a Democrat in 1991, 1994, and 1996, serving as his party’s leader in the Senate from 1994 to 1997 and later as president pro tempore. After a falling out with then-Majority Leader Charles Walker, he switched his party affiliation to Republican in 1998. He then won reelection to the State Senate as a Republican in 1998 and again in 2000, setting the stage for his campaign for governor.
Sonny Perdue Career
Early Career (1971–1990)
After earning his veterinary degree, Perdue served in the U.S. Air Force, where he rose to the rank of captain before being honorably discharged. Following his military service, he returned to Georgia and worked as a veterinarian. He later transitioned into the business world, eventually founding three small businesses, including ventures in the agricultural trading sector. These early experiences in animal medicine, the military, and agribusiness helped shape his understanding of rural economies, an area that would become central to his political identity.
Perdue’s entry into public affairs began with his appointment to the Houston County Planning and Zoning Commission in the 1980s. This local role provided an early platform for his interest in policy and land use, paving the way for his 1990 run for the Georgia State Senate. His shift from private practice to public service reflected a longstanding commitment to the agricultural communities of central Georgia.
State Senate Era (1991–2002)
Perdue represented Georgia’s 18th Senate district for more than a decade, building a reputation as a careful legislative operator. He rose through the ranks to become his party’s leader in the Senate, then majority leader, and ultimately president pro tempore. Many political observers credit then-Lt. Governor Pierre Howard with giving Perdue additional responsibilities early in his tenure, which helped him build a foundation for higher office.
In 1998, Perdue made a high-profile switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party, a decision that mirrored the broader political realignment of the South. He won reelection in 1998 and 2000 as a Republican, demonstrating crossover appeal in a once-Democratic district. In December 2001, he resigned from the State Senate to devote himself fully to a campaign for governor.
Governor of Georgia Era (2003–2011)
In the 2002 Georgia gubernatorial election, Perdue defeated Democratic incumbent Roy Barnes 51% to 46%, with Libertarian Garrett Michael Hayes taking 2% of the vote. The victory made Perdue the first Republican governor of Georgia in 131 years, breaking a streak that had lasted since the Reconstruction era. In 2006, he won reelection against Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor, capturing nearly 58% of the vote.
As governor, Perdue emphasized government efficiency, education reform, and economic development. He signed an executive order capping gifts to state employees, pushed for the sale of surplus vehicles and real estate, and promoted charter school expansion. He also wrestled with the politically charged issue of the Georgia state flag, ultimately allowing voters to choose between two designs. His tenure included both achievements and controversies, ranging from a fishing tourism initiative to ethics complaints ruled against him by the Georgia State Ethics Commission.
Secretary of Agriculture Era (2017–2021)
On 18 January 2017, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Perdue as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Senate Agriculture Committee approved the nomination 19–1 on 30 March 2017, and the full Senate confirmed him 87–11 on 24 April 2017. He was sworn in by Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, a fellow Georgian.
As Secretary, Perdue focused on rural communities, agricultural exports, regulatory relief, and programs for new farmers. He supported the 2018 farm bill and launched a mentoring program for beginning farmers. His tenure also drew criticism for the relocation of USDA research agencies to the Kansas City area, which prompted significant staff departures, and for a 2020 Hatch Act violation related to political activity while promoting the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
Notable Events and Milestones
Perdue was named the designated survivor for President Trump’s first State of the Union address on 30 January 2018. In February 2020, he became the only member of the Trump administration to publicly endorse a price on carbon dioxide as a climate policy tool. In March 2022, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia appointed him the system’s 14th chancellor, effective April 1, 2022, marking a return to leading a major Georgia institution.
Sonny Perdue Career Wins
Sonny Perdue built a record of electoral success in Georgia, winning multiple state Senate races and two gubernatorial campaigns. His victories spanned both major political parties, reflecting his ability to connect with voters across traditional party lines in a changing South.
State Senate Wins
Perdue won his first state Senate race in 1990 as a Democrat, defeating Republican Ned Sanders to take the 18th district seat. He was reelected as a Democrat in 1991, 1994, and 1996, steadily building influence within his caucus. After switching to the Republican Party in 1998, he won reelection that year and again in 2000, demonstrating durability in a district that once leaned Democratic.
Gubernatorial Wins
In 2002, Perdue won the governorship of Georgia by defeating Democratic incumbent Roy Barnes 51% to 46%, a historic victory that ended more than a century of Democratic control of the office. In 2006, he won a second term with nearly 58% of the vote against Democratic challenger Mark Taylor. These back-to-back wins cemented his status as one of the most successful Georgia politicians of his generation.
Sonny Perdue Family
Family Background and Political Lineage
Perdue was raised in a family rooted in central Georgia agriculture and education. His father, George Ervin Perdue Jr., was a farmer, and his mother, Ophie Viola (Holt), was a teacher. The Perdue family has a notable political presence in Georgia, with Sonny being a first cousin of former U.S. Senator David Perdue. Despite sharing a surname, Sonny Perdue is not related to the family that owns and operates Perdue Farms, the company widely associated with the Perdue Chicken brand.
Personal Life
Sonny Perdue married Mary Ruff in 1972, after the two had dated for four years. The couple has four children, daughters Leigh and Lara and sons Jim and Dan, along with 14 grandchildren. The Perdues have also served as foster parents for many children over the years. He is an avid sportsman who enjoys flying, and in 2006, while still governor, he made a cameo appearance as a football coach in the movie We Are Marshall, which was partially filmed in Georgia. He and his family reside in Bonaire, Georgia.