But you know, we are hearing, you know, some of the newer members could be a lot more supportive of Sonny Perdue. I can't imagine Sonny Perdue doing that." [News tape] parent at recent school board meeting, 11Alive: "I don't know how or why this would be debated.". [2] He previously served as the 81st governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011; Perdue was the first Republican to hold the office since the Reconstruction era.[3]. [18], Perdue was elected as a Democrat in 1991, 1994, and 1996. He also won reelection in 2000. You know, we reported as soon as we got the copy of the letter. Who hires the chancellor? Sonny Perdue age, height, net worth 2023, wife, girlfriend, kids Eric Stirgus: Yes, I think the governor could certainly use this on the campaign trail and, you know, to, you know, David Perdue supporters and say, "Hey, look, you know, I've made Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the university system. Steve Fennessy: What did you think when you first heard about that? The board cited Perdue's, quote, "vast understanding of the issues facing the university system," unquote. His committee assignments included Ethics, Finance & Public Utilities, Health & Human Services, Reapportionment, and Economic Development, Tourism & Cultural Affairs. His nomination was transmitted to the U.S. Senate on March 9, 2017. Steve Fennessy: You mentioned that there's a long political history between Sonny Perdue and Brian Kemp. [50], In September 2017, Politico reported that, according to 42 reviewed resumes, the department hired 22 former Trump campaign workers, many of which had no significant agricultural knowledge or experience with federal policies. A chancellors job is to defend the system against such bills, said Matthew Boedy, a rhetoric and composition professor at the University of North Georgia and the president of the Georgia conference of the American Association of University Professors. President Trump is endorsing Brian Kemp's Republican opponent in the primary, David Perdue, to be the next governor. He was the first Republican chosen by Georgians to occupy the governor's mansion since the Reconstruction-era election of Rufus Bullock in 1868. You know, he provided the money for the budget for the university system, and he understands how the system, you know, to a certain degree, you know, how the system works. Steve Fennessy: How unusual is it for a letter like that to be written? What Is Sonny Perdue Doing Now? - Vim Buzz And you know, I think there have been a couple of state lawmakers who have publicly come out against the idea. Former US Secretary of Agriculture and former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue were named chancellor of the University System of Georgia by the Board of Regents today (USG). SteveFennessyis host of Georgia Today,a weekly radio show and podcast on Georgia Public Broadcasting thatexplains stories of interest to Georgians through the experience and perspective of the reporters covering those stories. They have to be in charge of making sure that the schools comply with federal education policies and procedures, state education rules and regulations. Perdue then decided that the Go Fish Education Center would be built down the road from his home. It pays pretty well. It's a little off the beaten path. At least he is out of the gate. Mr. Perdues appointment as chancellor would also limit his contributions to the campaign of David Perdue, his cousin and a former senator who is running against Gov. Georgia Today: How Sonny Perdue's ascent to chancellor went from Earlier this week, Georgia's Board of Regents announced that Sonny Perdue was the sole finalist for the job. In April, before the Board of Regents selected Mr. Perdue, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges sent it a warning letter stating that the appointment of a former governor could place the accreditation of the institution(s) they govern in jeopardy.. [22], Perdue advocated reforms designed to cut waste in government, most notably the sale of surplus vehicles and real estate. Why Brian Kemp wants Sonny Perdue to lead Georgia's higher ed system [8] Perdue served as Secretary of Agriculture throughout Trump's term. [14][15], Perdue is not related to the family who owns and operates Perdue Farms (commonly associated with the brand "Perdue Chicken").[16][17]. Eric Stirgus: Correct. In this 2017 post, I recount some of the port-related shenanigans the cousins Perdue got up to together, including launching a port-reliant export business. Born George Ervin Perdue III, Perdue has been known as Sonny since childhood, and prefers to be called by that name; he was sworn in and signs official documents as "Sonny Perdue". Sonny Perdue may soon head up Georgias public university system. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms shocked manyby announcing last week she will not be running for reelection. Many credit Pierre Howard for helping Perdue build the early foundation of what would become his future political career.[20]. Anyone can read what you share. Each of those firms is owned by Perdue Business Holdings Inc., and Secretary Perdues newly created FALF Management Trust of which the secretary is a co-trustee owns 100 percent of the voting stock in Perdue Business Holdings, according to his 2019 disclosure. What will Sonny Perdue do if he becomes Georgia system's - ajc The Perdue USDA also insisted that federally funded grocery boxes distributed by food banks contain a letter signed by Trump, touting the administrations coronavirus response. Sonny Perdue Facts - Who Is Sonny Perdue, Trump's Agriculture Secretary And then also there has been, through the congressional redistricting process, you know, because of some changes insome of the districts, you know, we've had two additional changes on the regents where two members are now no longer on the board and the governor has replaced another one of those members and all three of the members that he has replaced are people who have been, you know, very supportive of the governor in the past through campaign contributions and other ways. [News tape] Alex Ames, student activist, FOX5: And as governor, he chose to defund billions of dollars and begin, you know, a decades-long spree of defunding from our teachers and, you know, students and parent schools that we attend every day. The department did not provide further documentation that potential conflicts in 2017 were limited to AGrowStar and Pro Ag Products. Yes, there is a acting chancellor. Not satisfied with fighting to take food off the tables of poor families, Perdue also set his sights on farm workers. The secretarys 2019 filing also shows nearly $140,000 in income from Soque River Conservation LLC, which holds land along the Soque River in northern Georgia and is held by a separate trust that Perdue first reported last year. Earlier this week, Georgia's Board of Regents announced that Sonny Perdue was the sole finalist for the job. Sonny Perdue - Wikipedia Dr. Sonny Perdue bio. The new questions surrounding Perdues 2017 agreement follow his rebuke last week by the Office of Special Counsel for using a taxpayer-funded event to promote President Donald Trumps reelection, in violation of the Hatch Act. [13], In 1971, Perdue earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, and worked as a veterinarian before becoming a small business owner, eventually starting three small businesses. Entitled President Trumps Affection for American Farmers, the episode featured the host and former White House press secretary competing to see who could lavish the most praise on Trump. [67], Perdue and his wife, Mary (ne Ruff), were married in 1972 after dating for four years. It is simply unacceptable for people to sneak into this country illegally on Thursday, obtain a government-issued ID on Friday, head for the welfare office on Monday, and cast a vote on Tuesday, he declared, backing up his rancid lies with a crackdown on undocumented people. He enjoys flying and, in a 2003 incident, was accused of flying a state helicopter without a license. Eric Stirgus: For now, we have not heard any discussion about, you know, where Sonny Perdue will ultimately fall on the governor's race. Now to me, Eric, that sounds like a kind of an implied threat that appointing Sonny Perdue as chancellor could mean that we'd lose accreditation. Enlivened by these bald lies, and perhaps feeling a competitive spark, Perdue replied that Trump is the embodiment of the amazing spirit that built this country. He sounded quite satisfied after a year spent campaigning for his boss while inflicting lasting damage to poor people and food-system workers during a deadly pandemic that the administration did so very little to control. You know, there was a faction of regents members who were not supportive of him at all. But her critics have said thatwhat she calls a COVID Crime Wave and her handling of the firing of Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe, who shot Rayshard Brooks last summer, made her vulnerable if she had chosen to run. Steve Fennessy: When did we first hear that Sonny Perdue who was the outgoing Secretary of Agriculture in the Trump administration, of course a two-term former governor of Georgia was interested in the job of chancellor? Saeger, of Accountable.US, said the inspector general still needs to review that claim. American Oversight and another watchdog group, Accountable.US, claim that violates Perdues 2017 agreement with ethics officials that he would restructure his original family trust and transfer all of its stock in Perdue Business Holdings to a new, irrevocable trust that wouldnt be overseen by or benefit the secretary. Eric Stirgus: Yes, Sonny Perdue backed Kemp's state Senate bid in 2002. [7] His appointment was approved by an 8711 vote by the Senate on April 24. It generated $102,077 in revenue or about 11 cents for every dollar it cost to run the center in years past. The COVID-19 crisis served as yet another opportunity to promote the political fortunes of his boss, without impeding his pursuit of a pro-agribusiness, anti-worker agenda. But you know, obviously, you know, there's been a lot of talk recently about issues like critical race theory. The Board of Regents named Dr. Sonny Perdue the 14th chancellor of the University System of Georgia effective April 1, 2022. [25] Perdue signed the legislation into law on April 12, 2005, three days before tax day. In 2005, Georgia state Rep. Larry ONealPerdues personal lawyermanaged to pass what the Atlanta Journal-Constitution called a seemingly mundane tax bill thatincluded a a last-minute change that saved the governor an estimated $100,000 in state taxes. The commitments entailed moving his holdings into a new trust and agreeing not to serve as a trustee or beneficiary of the fund. Steve Fennessy: As you said, Sonny Perdue persuaded Donald Trump when he was president to endorse Brian Kemp. (David Perdue is now locked in a tight runoff election that could decide which party controls the Senate in the next Congress.). He continued his effort to cut their wages, ultimately teaming with the Department of Labor on a rule change that will result in an aggregate wage cut worth at least $170.68 million annually over the next ten yearsa transfer of money from low-wage workers to relatively wealthy farm owners. GPB is committedto bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia, across the country and around the world. Kemp and Perdue are also close political allies, and Kemp recently replaced four members on the board before the vote. "[35], In 2006, Perdue signed a law that gave Georgia "some of the nation's toughest measures against illegal immigrants. [News tape] parent at recent school board meeting, 11Alive: "This isn't critical race theory. (Washington, D.C., April 22, 2020) - Today, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced emergency benefit increases have reached $2.0 billion per month for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households across all 50 states and 3 territories to increase food security during the coronavirus national emergency. Perdue is a cousin to Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. There is no conflict of interest in becoming a trustee of a trust that contains no conflicting interests.. Kemp is sort of paying back a favor. Perdue is a kind of an easy-going Southern version of the president he served so zealously. Sonny Perdue Is Sole Finalist to Lead Georgia's Public Universities Personal: Perdue. Senator David Perdue by their grandfather George Ervin Perdue I. "[37], According to a March 5, 2008, proclamation by Perdue, "Among those who served the Confederacy were many African-Americans, both free and slave, who saw action in the Confederate armed forces in many combat roles. Steve Fennessy: When you look at past chancellors in the university system of Georgia, is that a position where the person who gets the job is typically coming from a higher educational background? of Agriculture", "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress 1st Session", "Sonny Perdue Named Chancellor of the University System of Georgia", "Meet David PerdueHe Might Be Georgia's Next Senator", National Governors Association: Sonny Perdue, "Trump taps former Georgia governor for agriculture secretary", "Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue Perdue Farms Plans Major Expansion in Georgia", "Official Results of the November 5, 2002 General Election", "Ethical Lapses Trail Nominee For Agriculture Conflicts of Interest as Governor of Georgia", "3 minutes, 1 tax bill, $100,000 for Sonny Perdue", "Georgia climbs in SAT rankings despite drop in score", "2008 SAT Results Highlight Need for Rigor", "Georgia View: Sonny Perdue's Non-Legacy", "Georgia leaders try to skip controversy in flag vote", "Tom Price, Kasim Reed, Sonny Perdue and the Art of the Georgia Deal", "Statement of Governor Sonny Perdue Regarding Court Ruling to Stay Transition to Reformulated Gasoline", "Georgia Enacts a Tough Law on Immigrants", The Confederate and Neo-Confederate Reader: The "Great Truth", "Trump could name Agriculture Secretary whose drought strategy was to pray for rain", "Yes, There Were Black Confederates. Then the pandemic hit, ripping through migrant farm worker communities, who toiled on with little in the way of protective gear or opportunities for social distancing. [25], In 2007, Perdue convinced a skeptical legislature to approve a $19 million fishing tourism program he called Go Fish Georgia. There's been some social media push against him. His Democratic opponent was Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor. And Sonny Perdue was one of the only, if not the only cabinet member who went the distance in the Donald Trump administration. Now the nonprofit American Oversight is asking USDAs inspector general to review the new structure of Perdues assets and determine whether it violates the commitments he made as a nominee for the job in 2017. Sanders: one of the the most fun, engaging, charming, and charismatic people Ive ever been around. Perdue: he has an amazing instinctive ability to make decisions.. [42] The floods resulted in Perdue declaring a state of emergency in 17 counties. Steve Fennessy: So that's not something you can just push aside because you don't like what one of their family members is doing. How Perdue's power benefits his friends - POLITICO As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. In his 2002 election campaign, Perdue promised that he would let the state's citizens vote to determine the state flag. [33] Georgia voters chose the flag resembling the Confederate flag. And I understand that he wasn't the biggest supporter of the idea of Sonny Perdue as chancellor. Republican Sen. David Perdue, a former Fortune 500 CEO, will face off against Democrat Jon Ossoff, a 33-year-old media executive, again in a runoff election Jan. 5. Eric Stirgus: The chancellor is hired by the Board of Regents as a 19-member body, and all of those folks are appointed by the governor and so they serve seven-year terms. You know, he was brought on actually, you know, during Sonny Perdue's tenure to take on the job. Eric Stirgus: There was some support on the regents, but not enough support to get him across the finish line to be named as chancellor. He later served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and was named chancellor of the University System of Georgia in 2022.. Background and Education I'm joined by Eric Stirgus, who covers higher education for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III[1] (born December 20, 1946) is an American veterinarian, businessman, politician, and university administrator who served as the 31st United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2017 to 2021. [21] He became the first Republican governor of Georgia in 131 years since Benjamin F. The terms of two of those members expired at the beginning of January, and Gov. Sonny Perdue, aka George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, is known to be a veterinarian, businessman, and politician of the United States of America. Feb. 15, 2022 Georgia's public university system said on Tuesday that former Gov. The United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry overwhelmingly approved his nomination on March 30, with a 191 vote. Jess Mador is the lead podcast producer at GPB News. He served two terms,. The likely appointment of Mr. Perdue, a Republican, comes during a volatile time in Georgia politics, with the State Legislature considering several bills that would ban, or limit, how race and activism are taught in the classroom. I mean, you know, there is one former member now, Phillip Lehi, who did, you know, say, Hey, I like Sonny Perdue personally. By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners.
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