Politics
Politics

David Perdue resurfaces at Trump rally after humiliating defeat

By
March 9, 2024

ROME — Former U.S. Sen. David Perdue wanted to clear the air when he took the stage Saturday at Donald Trump’s Georgia rally.

“I am not running for any elected office,” Perdue said to laughter. His only mission, he said, “for the rest of this year until November, is making damn sure that Donald J. Trump is the next president.”

Perdue was Trump’s handpicked candidate to challenge Gov. Brian Kemp in the Republican primary in 2022. He was humiliated, losing to the incumbent by 52 percentage points.

Since then, he’s hardly had any public appearances. But a few weeks ago, Perdue formally endorsed Trump stoking speculation that he’s angling for a Cabinet spot. Others say he still could be a formidable surrogate in deep-red parts of the state.

Republican gubernatorial candidate David Perdue speaks to supporters at an election-night event on May 24, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. The former U.S. senator, who was supported by former President Donald Trump, lost to incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp in today's Republican primary. (Megan Varner/Getty Images/TNS)

Credit: TNS

icon to expand image

Credit: TNS

About the Author

Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.

Follow Greg Bluestein on facebookFollow Greg Bluestein on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome, is interviewed during a live-to-tape recording of the Politically Georgia podcast at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Nathan Posner for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Nathan Posner for the AJC

Marjorie Taylor Greene says she is resigning from Congress

The Rome Republican recently became the latest target of President Donald Trump’s ire.

1h ago

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s path, MAGA powerhouse to sudden resignation announcement

What to know about the rise and resignation of Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green.

2h ago

House ethics committee weighs complaint regarding Mike Collins, chief of staff

The U.S. House Committee of Ethics has received a complaint regarding U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and his chief of staff.

The Latest

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome, is interviewed during a live-to-tape recording of the Politically Georgia podcast at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Nathan Posner for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Nathan Posner for the AJC

Marjorie Taylor Greene says she is resigning from Congress

1h ago

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s path, MAGA powerhouse to sudden resignation announcement

2h ago

House ethics committee weighs complaint regarding Mike Collins, chief of staff

Featured

Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

‘Worst nightmares come true.’ Atlanta confronts shift in homelessness funding.

Trump’s overhaul threatens permanent housing for an estimated 600 Atlanta households and 170,000 people nationwide, advocates warn.

Microsoft’s newest AI ‘superfactory’ opens at sprawling Fayetteville campus

One of the largest data center campuses under construction in Georgia has its first operational tenant, and it’s one of the most recognizable names in technology.

Atlanta officials quietly rebrand city’s DEI office

The city of Atlanta office overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion is getting a rebrand amid assaults at the federal level on such initiatives.