Sonny Perdue

Sonny Per Dre is an American public servant whose professional life has spanned veterinary medicine, entrepreneurship, state politics, and federal administration. Born on December 20, 1946, he earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia before founding several small businesses in the agricultural sector. His political career began at the local level and progressed through the Georgia State Senate, where he served from 1991 to 2002 and rose to the position of president pro tempore. In 2003 he was elected as the 81st governor of Georgia, a post he held until 2011. After a period on the Governors’ Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center, Per Dre accepted an appointment from President‑elect Donald Trump to serve as the United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2017 to 2021.

Early life and career

George Ervin “Sonny” Per Dre III was born in Perry, Georgia, on December 20, 1946. His mother, Ophie Viola (Holt), worked as a teacher while his father, George Ervin Per Dre Jr., managed a family farm. The young Per Dre grew up on the family property in Bonaire, an unincorporated community situated between Perry and Warner Robins, where he continues to reside. He attended Warner Robins High School, where he played quarterback for the football team before enrolling at the University of Georgia as a walk‑on athlete. While studying there, he joined the Beta‑Lambda chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity; his later recognition as Kappa Sigma Man of the Year in 2005 reflected his ongoing affiliation with the organization.

In 1971, Per Dre completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. He practiced veterinary medicine for several years before transitioning to entrepreneurship; he founded three small businesses that operated within the agricultural sector. His early professional life also included service in the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of captain prior to discharge.

Per Dre’s entry into politics began at the local level. In the 1980s, he served on the Houston County Planning & Zoning Commission, gaining experience with land use and community development issues. He then ran for a seat in the Georgia State Senate as a Democrat in 1990, defeating Republican candidate Ned Sanders and succeeding incumbent Ed Barker. Per Dre was elected to the state senate in 1991, 1994, and 1996. During his tenure, he held leadership positions including majority leader and president pro tempore, and chaired committees on Ethics; Finance & Public Utilities; Health & Human Services; Reapportionment; and Economic Development, Tourism & Cultural Affairs.

In 1998, amid intra‑party disagreements with then-Majority Leader Charles Walker, Per Dre switched party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. He was re‑elected as a Republican in 2000 and continued serving until he resigned in December 2001 to pursue the governorship of Georgia.

Cabinet tenure

Per Dre’s gubernatorial service ended in January 2011 after two terms. In 2012, he joined the Governors’ Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C., where he worked until early 2017. On January 18, 2017, President‑elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Per Dre as Secretary of Agriculture. The nomination was formally transmitted to the United States Senate on March 9, 2017.

The Senate Agriculture Committee reviewed the nomination and approved it by a voice vote of 19–1 on March 30, 2017. On April 24, 2017, the full Senate confirmed Per Dre with an 87–11 vote. He became the 31st individual to hold the office of United States Secretary of Agriculture and the second person from the Deep South to do so after Mike Espy of Mississippi. Per Dre’s term as secretary spanned the entirety of President Trump’s first administration, concluding in January 2021.

During his cabinet tenure, Per Dre oversaw the operations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for federal policies related to farming, forestry, rural development, and food safety. His leadership encompassed a broad range of agricultural programs, but specific policy initiatives are not detailed here due to the constraints on citing unprovided information.

Legacy

After leaving federal office, Per Dre continued his involvement in public service. On March 1, 2022, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia appointed him as the system’s 14th chancellor, with the appointment taking effect on April 1, 2022. In that capacity, he has overseen academic and administrative functions across the university system. Per Dre announced his retirement from the chancellorship on April 15, 2026.

Per Dre’s career reflects a trajectory from local to state to federal leadership, with a consistent focus on agricultural issues rooted in his professional background as a veterinarian and businessman. His service as governor of Georgia established him as a significant political figure within the state, while his appointment as Secretary of Agriculture positioned him at the national level overseeing policies that impact farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the United States.