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Family Album
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Sonny Perdue- Georgia's Governor
On January 13, 2003, Sonny Perdue was sworn in as Georgia's first Republican Governor since 1872.
At the time, Georgia was in its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and facing a $640 million dollar state budget deficit.
Governor Perdue immediately went to work reforming the state budget, setting priorities, and cutting wasteful spending.
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His efforts helped stimulate the economy and turn the state budget deficit that he inherited in to a substantial surplus. The Governor then invested in his top priorities and got results. During Perdue’s first term, Georgia created over 200,000 new jobs and posted the highest graduation rate and SAT scores in state history. After a first term marked by numerous accomplishments, Governor Perdue won re-election by an overwhelming margin in November 2006.
Community Leader.
As Georgia's Governor, Sonny Perdue has led based on his life experiences prior to entering public service.
Sonny was born on December 20, 1946, in Perry, Georgia, to a lifelong farmer and a classroom teacher. He graduated from Warner Robins High School and earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1971 from the University of Georgia. Following his service as a Captain in the United States Air Force, Perdue became a successful small business owner, concentrating in agribusiness and transportation. Today, those businesses have grown to include several locations across the Southeast.
Perdue was a respected leader in his church and his community when he decided to enter public service. After serving on the Houston County Planning and Zoning Board during the 1980’s, he ran for the Georgia State Senate in 1990 and won. Sonny spent the next 11 years representing his Middle Georgia district in the General Assembly. Perdue left the State Senate in 2001 to begin his successful campaign for Governor, which focused on restoring public trust in state government and empowering all Georgians.
Husband. Father. Grandfather.
For all of his success in business and public service, Sonny’s most cherished roles are devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather.
| Sonny has been lovingly devoted to his wife, the former Mary Ruff of Atlanta, for 34 years. Together, they have four children: Leigh, a speech therapist in Clarkesville; Lara, a full-time mom in Marietta; Jim, a minister in Forsyth County; and Dan, a webmaster at Middle Georgia Technical College. They have three granddaughters, including newest addition, Elizabeth Grace, and twins, Mary Kate and Sunni. They also have two grandsons, Jack and Jake. Additionally, Mary and Sonny have served as foster parents for eight newborns awaiting adoption. |  |
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34 years of marriage