Governor Rick Perry

Governor Rick Perry
Ken Shipp/United States Department of Energy · Public domain · source
Name	Rick Perry
Birth date	March 4, 1950
Birth place	Haskell, Texas
Party	Republican
Spouse	Anita Thigpen Perry
Children	Griffin Perry, Sydney Perry

Governor Rick Perry is a renowned American politician who served as the Governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015. He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Agriculture Commissioner before becoming the governor. Perry is a Republican and has been associated with several notable figures, including George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Karl Rove. He has also been involved with various organizations, such as the National Governors Association and the Republican Governors Association.

● Early Life and Education

Perry was born in Haskell, Texas, to Joseph Ray Perry and Amelia June Holt Perry. He grew up in Paint Creek, Texas, and developed an interest in 4-H and Future Farmers of America. Perry attended Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He graduated with a degree in Animal Science in 1972 and later served in the United States Air Force as a C-130 pilot, including missions in Europe and North America. During his time in the Air Force, Perry was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base and Dyess Air Force Base, and he also attended United States Air Force Academy.

● Career

Perry's career in politics began when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1984, representing the 64th district. He served on the House Committee on Energy and the House Committee on Ways and Means. In 1990, Perry was elected as the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, a position he held until 1998. During his tenure, he worked with organizations such as the Texas Department of Agriculture and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Perry also interacted with notable figures, including Ann Richards, George W. Bush, and Bob Bullock.

● Governor of Texas

Perry became the Governor of Texas in 2000 after George W. Bush resigned to become the President of the United States. He won the 2002 Texas gubernatorial election and was re-elected in 2006 and 2010. During his governorship, Perry worked with the Texas Legislature to pass several notable laws, including the Texas Enterprise Fund and the Emerging Technology Fund. He also interacted with various organizations, such as the National Governors Association, the Republican Governors Association, and the Texas Association of Business. Perry's governorship was marked by significant events, including the 2003 Texas redistricting, the 2008 United States presidential election, and the 2011 Texas wildfires.

● Presidential Campaigns

Perry launched his 2012 United States presidential campaign in 2011, but he withdrew from the race in 2012. He later launched his 2016 United States presidential campaign in 2015, but he again withdrew from the race. During his presidential campaigns, Perry interacted with notable figures, including Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Ron Paul. He also participated in several Republican Party presidential debates, including the 2011 Republican debate and the 2015 Republican debate.

● Later Career and Controversies

After leaving the governor's office, Perry joined the Board of Directors of Energy Transfer Partners, a company involved in the Dakota Access Pipeline project. He also became a member of the Board of Directors of DynaCorp International, a private military company. Perry has been involved in several controversies, including the 2014 indictment by a Travis County, Texas grand jury and the 2016 Republican National Convention. He has also been associated with various organizations, such as the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Club for Growth.

● Personal Life

Perry is married to Anita Thigpen Perry, and they have two children, Griffin Perry and Sydney Perry. He is a member of the United Methodist Church and has been involved with several charitable organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America and the American Red Cross. Perry has received several awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the National Guard Bureau. He has also been recognized by organizations such as the National Rifle Association and the Texas Farm Bureau. Category:American politicians