Reason Foundation

Governor, State of Georgia

Bio

Sonny Perdue has served as the Governor of Georgia since 2003. Prior to his tenure as governor, he spent 11 years as a Georgia state senator. He graduated from the University of Georgia, where he quarterbacked the Bulldogs and earned a doctorate of veterinary medicine. He served in the Air Force after college, rising to captain and gaining hands-on experience in operations and leadership in a government organization. After a brief career as a practicing vet, he went on to own and operate successful agribusinesses with locations across the Southeast.

His tenure in office has been highlighted by successes in raising high school graduation rates and SAT scores, bringing business and jobs to Georgia, and re-engineering the workings of government to deliver better value for citizens. Under his leadership, Georgia's government performance rating has moved from "average" to the top five state scores.