Politics
Politics

What is Sonny Perdue’s full name?

Jan 19, 2017

In Georgia, former Gov. Sonny Perdue is known as just Sonny by friend and foe, formally and informally.

But the Georgia politician tapped by President-elect Donald Trump as the new agriculture chief, does have a given name.

He was born George Ervin Perdue III.

In 2002, Perdue became the first Republican to be elected governor of Georgia since Reconstruction. He defeated the incumbent, Roy Barnes, with 51.4 percent of the vote. In 2006, Perdue won re-election by taking 57.9 percent of the vote in his race against Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor.

Before becoming governor, Perdue spent 11 years in the state Senate, starting in 1990. He started out as a Democrat before joining the Republican Party in 1998.

Read the full story about Sonny Perdue's background and nomination on MyAJC.com.

ExploreFollow the AJC’s coverage of Inauguration Day
Explore 
More Stories

Keep Reading

Derek Dooley wasn't very successful as football coach of the Tennessee Vols. He's hoping for better results in his campaign for U.S. Senate. (File 2012 AP)

Credit: AP

What Tennessee fans think of their old coach, Derek Dooley, running for U.S. Senate

As their former head football coach, Derek Dooley, runs for Senate, most Tennessee fans in Georgia didn’t even know he was in the race.

OPINION

Charlie Kirk’s assassination is a watershed for Gen Z

Young people will always remember where they were when Charlie Kirk was shot. Let’s also make it the moment when everything changed.

Warnock: Political violence, hate speech could kill democracy

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock delivered a speech on the Senate floor condemning political violence one day after the death of Charlie Kirk.

The Latest

Derek Dooley wasn't very successful as football coach of the Tennessee Vols. He's hoping for better results in his campaign for U.S. Senate. (File 2012 AP)

Credit: AP

What Tennessee fans think of their old coach, Derek Dooley, running for U.S. Senate

Clark Dean preps outsider-themed GOP run for Georgia governor

Early voting begins for special state Senate runoff election

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.