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.

Keep Reading

Voters stand outside the Joan P. Garner Library voting precinct before voting in the Georgia Public Service Commission runoff election on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Featured

Braves first baseman Matt Olson (left) is greeted by Ronald Acuña Jr. after batting during the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC