Rick Perry | |
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14th United States Secretary of Energy | |
In office March 2, 2017 – December 1, 2019 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | Dan Brouillette |
Preceded by | Ernest Moniz |
Succeeded by | Dan Brouillette |
47th Governor of Texas | |
In office December 21, 2000 – January 20, 2015 | |
Lieutenant | Bill Ratliff David Dewhurst |
Preceded by | George W. Bush |
Succeeded by | Greg Abbott |
39th Lieutenant Governor of Texas | |
In office January 19, 1999 – December 21, 2000 | |
Governor | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Bob Bullock |
Succeeded by | Bill Ratliff |
9th Agriculture Commissioner of Texas | |
In office January 15, 1991 – January 19, 1999 | |
Governor | Ann Richards George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Jim Hightower |
Succeeded by | Susan Combs |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 64th district | |
In office January 8, 1985 – January 8, 1991 | |
Preceded by | Joe Hanna |
Succeeded by | John R. Cook |
Personal details | |
Born | James Richard Perry March 4, 1950 Haskell, Texas, U.S. |
Political party | Republican (since 1989) |
Other political affiliations | Democratic (before 1989) |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Education | Texas A&M University (BS) |
Signature | |
Website | Department of Energy website |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | US Air Force |
Years of service | 1972–1977[1] |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | 772nd Tactical Airlift Squadron |
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James Richard Perry (born March 4, 1950) is an American politician who served as the 14th United States secretary of energy from 2017 to 2019 in the first administration of Donald Trump. He previously served as the 47th governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015 and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2012 and 2016 elections.
Born into a family of cotton farmers in Haskell, Texas, Perry graduated from Texas A&M University in 1972 and entered into the United States Air Force, serving a five-year stint and achieving the rank of captain.[2] After leaving the Air Force in 1977, Perry returned to Texas and entered politics, serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1985 to 1991. Initially a Democrat, Perry switched parties in 1989 and became a Republican, and was elected Agriculture Commissioner of Texas the following year. In 1998, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas, becoming the state's first Republican Lieutenant Governor since Reconstruction.
Perry assumed the governorship of Texas in December 2000, after Governor George W. Bush resigned following his election as President. Perry was re-elected Governor three times, becoming the longest-serving governor in Texas history. As Governor, Perry identified as a staunch conservative, enacting conservative fiscal policies, restrictions on abortion and expanded gun rights.[3][4] Long considered a potential presidential candidate, Perry officially announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican nomination for President in August 2011. Perry initially performed well in polling and showed strong fundraising prowess, leading to him being considered a serious contender for the nomination. However, his support declined following debates and early primaries, and he withdrew from the race in January 2012.[5]
Perry declined to seek re-election to a fourth term as Governor and left office in 2015, launching a second presidential campaign shortly thereafter. Perry's second presidential campaign failed to garner substantial polling support, fundraising or media attention, leading him to withdraw from the race after only three months.[6] Perry was initially a vocal opponent of Donald Trump's 2016 campaign for President, however, he later endorsed Trump after he secured the Republican nomination.[7] After winning the presidency, Trump appointed Perry as Secretary of Energy, and he was confirmed by the United States Senate in a 62–37 vote on March 2, 2017. On October 17, 2019, Perry reported to Trump that he intended to resign as Secretary of Energy at the end of the year. He left office on December 1, 2019.[8]
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