David Perdue said he will stay in the U.S. Senate come January rather than moving to the Trump administration after spending nearly two hours in Trump Tower Friday.
The freshman Republican senator told pool reporters that during his meeting with Trump and his team, "I committed my position in the Senate to full support about getting this 100-day plan executed."
Watch a video of his remarks here: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4634147/sen-perdue-trump-tower
Perdue, who has long been rumored to be eyeing higher office, had been seen as a potential pick to lead the Commerce Department given his experience as a Fortune 500 CEO and early, vocal embrace of the New Yorker's populist message. Trump instead went for another businessman, Wilbur Ross, to lead the federal agency earlier this week.
Perdue is the latest Georgian to make an appearance at Trump Tower in recent days. Perdue's cousin, former Gov. Sonny Perdue, auditioned for secretary of agriculture on Wednesday. Nick Ayers, a top Mike Pence aide and transition official, is seen as a top pick to lead the Republican National Committee.
Perdue said he was not the person who recommended his cousin for the agriculture post but said he's "an extremely strong candidate."
Still in his first term, Perdue's clout is likely to grow in the Senate after Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20. He said he plans to aid Trump on issues such as jobs, taxes and energy.
"I'm very energized and excited about that opportunity," he said.
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