AG Nominee, Sonny Perdue
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, President-Elect Trump’s Transition Team officially announced the nomination of former Georgia Governor George Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
Perdue was born and raised on a row crop farm in Perry, Georgia, and later played football for the University of Georgia before earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout his career he has started several small agribusinesses in addition to serving as the 81st Governor of Georgia from 2003-2011.
Perdue was selected from a vast pool of more than two dozen possible candidates and was President-Elect Trump’s final Cabinet position to be announced, just one day ahead of his inauguration.
Ben Mosely, USA Rice vice president of government affairs and also a native son of Georgia, said, “I’ve worked with Governor Perdue and his staff in the past and cannot say enough good things about his leadership abilities. We’re truly optimistic and energized to get the opportunity to work with the Governor in his anticipated role as our Secretary of Agriculture. ”
Mosely added, “It’s even more comforting knowing that Governor Perdue and his incoming staff within the Department will have firsthand experience with Southern agriculture and the unique growing conditions and marketing challenges for crops like rice, cotton, and peanuts. We’ll be well-served with a Department that understands the need for a farm safety net that includes price protection, especially when we’re crafting and implementing the next Farm Bill.”
Former Governor Perdue also shares close ties to the U.S. Senate where his first cousin, Senator David Perdue (R-GA), sits on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.