What is Sonny Perdue’s full name?

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

Georgia has $14.6 billion in reserves. What to do with it?

State lawmakers could reduce taxes or try to cover program expenses passed down from federal cuts.

State agencies seek more than $1 billion in new spending

State agencies have asked for more than $1 billion in new funding next year amid uncertainty over the toll federal spending cuts will take on Georgia’s budget.

OPINION

U.S. House speaker continues to delay swearing in of Democrat

Usually, newly elected lawmakers go from their special election to the House floor without issue, yet it's been three weeks since Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva won.

The Latest

Credit: AP