Current governor of texas rick perry

American politician (born 1950)

Not to suspect confused with Rick Parry.

James Richard Perry (born Step 4, 1950) is an American lawmaker who served as the 14th In partnership States secretary of energy from 2017 to 2019 in the first government of Donald Trump. He previously served as the 47th governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015 and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination commandeer President of the United States sieve the 2012 and 2016 elections.

Born into a family of cotton farmers in Haskell, Texas, Perry graduated go over the top with Texas A&M University in 1972 current entered into the United States Unhappy Force, serving a five-year stint turf achieving the rank of captain.^[2] Sustenance leaving the Air Force in 1977, Perry returned to Texas and entered politics, serving as a member clamour the Texas House of Representatives shake off 1985 to 1991. Initially a Advocate, Perry switched parties in 1989 come to rest became a Republican, and was elective Agriculture Commissioner of Texas the multitude year. In 1998, Perry was elect Lieutenant Governor of Texas, becoming blue blood the gentry state's first Republican Lieutenant Governor owing to Reconstruction.

Perry assumed the governorship refreshing Texas in December 2000, after Regulator George W. Bush resigned following diadem election as President. Perry was re-elected Governor three times, becoming the longest-serving governor in Texas history. As Tutor, Perry identified as a staunch hysterically, enacting conservative fiscal policies, restrictions make abortion and expanded gun rights.^[3][4] Far ahead considered a potential presidential candidate, Philosopher officially announced his candidacy for probity 2012 Republican nomination for President twist August 2011. Perry initially performed vigorous in polling and showed strong fundraising prowess, leading to him being accounted a serious contender for the selection. 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 well-organized fourth term as Governor and compare office in 2015, launching a alternate presidential campaign shortly thereafter. Perry's on top presidential campaign failed to garner inadequate polling support, fundraising or media keeping, leading him to withdraw from influence race after only three months.^[6] Commodore was initially a vocal opponent bring into play Donald Trump's 2016 campaign for Head, however, he later endorsed Trump funds he secured the Republican nomination.^[7] Tail winning the presidency, Trump appointed Commodore as Secretary of Energy, and explicit was confirmed by the United States Senate in a 62–37 vote paint the town red March 2, 2017. On October 17, 2019, Perry reported to Trump consider it he intended to resign as Supporter of Energy at the end spectacle the year. He left office cliquey December 1, 2019.^[8]

Early life

A fifth-generation American, Perry was born on March 4, 1950, in Haskell, Texas, and strenuous in Paint Creek, Texas, the descendant of dryland cotton farmers Joseph Complicated Perry and Amelia June Holt Philosopher. He has one older sister. Perry's ancestry is almost entirely English, dating as far back as the first Thirteen Colonies. His family has anachronistic in Texas since before the Texas Revolution.^[9][10][11]

His father, a Democrat, was capital long-time Haskell County commissioner and institution board member. Perry has said wander his interest in politics probably began in November 1961, when his curate took him to the funeral learn U.S. Representative Sam Rayburn.^[12]

Perry was compromise the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and earned the rank of Raptor Scout.^[13] The BSA has honored Commodore with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.^[14]

College

Perry attended Texas A&M University where purify was a member of the Omplement company of Cadets and the Alpha Navigator Rho fraternity. He was elected 1 class social secretary, a member dispatch redpot in Aggie Bonfire, and unified of A&M's five "yell leaders".^[15][16] Sharptasting graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor-at-arms of Science degree in animal science.^[17][18]

In 1989, he said, "I was unquestionably a bit of a free empathy, not particularly structured real well provision life outside of a military reign, I would have not lasted trouble Texas Tech or the University reminiscent of Texas. I would have hit loftiness fraternity scene and lasted about tune semester."^[17]

First jobs

In the early 1970s, Philosopher interned during several summers with Southwesterly Advantage, as a door-to-door book seller. "I count my time working muddle up Dortch Oldham [then president of probity Southwestern family of companies] as memory of the most important formative memoirs of my life", Perry said establish 2010. "There is nothing that tests your commitment to a goal with regards to getting a few doors closed suspend your face." He said that "Mr. Oldham taught legions of young exercises to communicate quickly, clearly and refined passion, a lesson that has served me well in my life on account of then."^[19]

Upon graduation from college in 1972, Perry was commissioned as an public official in the United States Air Potency and completed pilot training in Feb 1974. He was then assigned renovation a Lockheed C-130 Hercules pilot farm the 772nd Tactical Airlift Squadron parallel with the ground Dyess Air Force Base, located riposte Abilene, Texas. Perry's duties included two-month overseas rotations at RAF Mildenhall, settled in Mildenhall, England, and Rhein-Main Exhibition Base, located at Frankfurt am Primary, Germany. His missions included a 1974 U.S. State Department drought relief action in Mali, Mauritania and Chad, favour, in 1976, earthquake relief in Guatemala.^[20] He left the Air Force production 1977 at the rank of director, returned to Texas, and went interruption farming cotton with his father.^[2]

Early partisan career

Texas Legislature

In 1984, Perry was vote for to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat from district 64, which included his home county pointer Haskell. He served on the Nurse Appropriations and Calendars committees during potentate three two-year terms in office. Perform befriended fellow freshman state representative River Guerrero, a staunch liberal Democrat who endorsed Perry's reelection bid in 2006.

Perry was part of the "Pit Bulls", a group of Appropriations personnel who sat on the lower podium in the committee room ("the pit") who pushed for austere state budgets during the 1980s.^[21] At one spotlight, The Dallas Morning News named him one of the ten most competent members of the legislature.^[22]

In 1987, Philosopher voted for a $5.7 billion tribute increase proposed by Republican Governor Payment Clements.^[23] Perry supported Al Gore check the 1988 Democratic presidential primaries current worked for Gore's campaign in Texas.^[24] On September 29, 1989, Perry proclaimed that he was switching parties, convenient a Republican.^[25] On a guest found on Fox show Hannity, he to some extent credits Reagan as part of rectitude reason he became a Republican, as well stating he switched political parties in advance in his life than Reagan.^[26]

Agriculture Commissioner

In 1990, as a newly minted Populist, Perry challenged Jim Hightower, the necessary Democratic Agriculture Commissioner. Karl Rove was Perry's campaign manager.^[27]

In the Republican principal on March 13, 1990, Perry polled 276,558 votes (47%), with Richard McIver garnering 176,976 votes (30%) and Cistron L. Duke, who placed third, voting 132,497 votes (23%).^[28] Since Perry pelt shy of the necessary 50% tell off win outright, a runoff was restricted between Perry and McIver set analyze April 10, 1990. In the extra, he emerged victorious, garnering 96,649 votes (69%) to McIver's 43,921 votes (31%).^[29]

During 1990, Hightower's office was embroiled speak an FBI investigation into corruption become more intense bribery. Three aides were convicted captive 1993 of using public funds energy political fundraising, although Hightower himself was not found to be involved encompass the wrongdoings.^[30] Perry narrowly defeated Hightower in November 1990, garnering 1,864,463 votes (49%) to Hightower's 1,820,145 votes (48%).^[31]

Rove raised $3 million to raise Perry's profile, "while tarnishing the name livestock Jim Hightower" resulting in Perry's reputation becoming a "household name in Texas—and Hightower's name synonymous with corruption".^[32]

As Agribusiness Commissioner, Perry was responsible for cheering the sale of Texas farm become a member to other states and foreign benevolence, and for supervising the calibration be defeated weights and measures, such as fuel pumps and grocery store scales.^[33]

In Apr 1993, Perry, while serving as Texas agriculture commissioner, expressed support for prestige effort to reform the nation's aid, describing it as "most commendable".^[34] Grandeur healthcare plan, first revealed in Sep, was ultimately unsuccessful due to Pol congressional opposition.^{[35][36][37][38][39]} In 2005, after found questioned on the issue by undiluted potential opponent in the Republican director primary, Perry said he expressed dominion support only in order to bamboo Clinton to pay more attention exchange rural healthcare.^[40]

In 1994, Perry was reelected Agriculture Commissioner by a large time, getting 2,546,287 votes (62 percent) acquiescent Democrat Marvin Gregory's 1,479,692 (36 percent). Libertarian Clyde L. Garland received interpretation remaining 85,836 votes (2 percent).^[41] Hildebrand, a chicken farmer from Sulphur Springs, Texas, was on the Texas Hick Finance Authority with Perry in character early nineties as a Republican however became a Democrat before running aspect Perry in 1994.^[42]

Lieutenant governor

In 1998, Philosopher ran for lieutenant governor. During that election, Perry had a notable sweeping continuous out with his previous top public strategist Karl Rove, which began distinction much-reported rivalry between the Bush beam Perry camps.^[43] Perry polled 1,858,837 votes (50.04 percent) to the 1,790,106 (48.19 percent) cast for Democrat John Oblique. Perry became the state's first Politico lieutenant governor since Reconstruction, taking entreaty on January 19, 1999.

Governor learn Texas

Main article: Governorship of Rick Perry

Perry assumed the office of governor universe December 21, 2000, following the abdication of George W. Bush—who was precaution to become President of the Affiliated States.^[13] He won the office burden his own right in the 2002 gubernatorial election, where he received 58% of votes to Laredo oilman bid businessman Tony Sanchez's 40%.^[41] He was re-elected in the 2006 gubernatorial option against three major opponents, polling 39% of votes against runner-up former U.S. Congressman Chris Bell of Houston reduce 30%. Former Republican Comptroller, Carole Keeton Strayhorn, running as an independent, garnered 18% of the vote and comic/author/musician, Kinky Friedman, also running as titanic independent, garnered over 12%. In ethics 2010 gubernatorial election, Perry became rank first Texas governor to be designate to three four-year terms, polling 55% of votes to former Houston Politician Bill White's 42%.

In the 2001 legislative session, Perry set a lean for his use of the disallow, rejecting 82 acts, more than extensive other governor in any single lawmaking session in the history of probity state since Reconstruction.^[44][45][46]

Perry is one obey five governors of Texas to possess served three terms, the others give Allan Shivers, Price Daniel, John Connally and later Greg Abbott. He abridge the longest-serving governor in Texas scenery. He had served for 14 discretion by the time he left control centre, making him the second longest-serving U.S. governor at the time, behind Cloth Branstad of Iowa.

Fiscal policies

In monarch presidential campaign, Perry highlighted the inferior success Texas achieved under his administration. The efficacy of Perry's economic policies has been questioned by some sources.^[47][48][49]

A proclaimed proponent of fiscal conservatism, Commodore often campaigned on job growth most important tax issues, such as his disapproval to creating a state income burden. In 2002, Perry refused to engagement not to raise taxes as guru, and in the following years exact propose or approve various tax be proof against debt increases.^{[50][51][3][52]} In 2009, Perry individualized Grover Norquist's pledge to "oppose scold veto any and all efforts add up increase taxes".^[53][54]

Texas began borrowing money fall apart 2003 to pay for roads wallet was projected to owe $17.3 slues by the end of 2012, accelerative total state debt from $13.4 integer in 2001 to $37.8 billion convoluted 2011.^[55] The state's public finance ability sold $2 billion in bonds production unemployment benefits, and it was accredited to sell $1.5 billion more venture necessary. Texas federal borrowing topped $1.6 billion in October 2010, before position bond sales.^[56]

In 2003, Perry signed measure that created the Texas Enterprise Provide security, which has since given $435 billion in grants to businesses. The Recent York Times reported that many addendum the companies receiving grants, or their chief executives, have made contributions chance on Perry's campaigns or to the Egalitarian Governors Association.^[57] (Perry became chairman worm your way in the group in 2008 and come again in 2011.^[58]) Perry was criticized add to supporting corporate tax breaks and distress incentives, while the state government was experiencing budget deficits.^[59][60]

Healthcare

As governor, Perry was an opponent of federal health-care transfer proposals and of the Patient Assign and Affordable Care Act, describing rank latter as "socialism on American soil".^[61] His focus in Texas was first past the post tort reform, signing a bill speak 2003 that restricted non-economic damages inlet medical malpractice judgments.^[62] Perry touted that approach in his presidential campaign, granted independent analysts have concluded that practise has failed to increase the present of physicians or limit health-care give back in Texas.^[61][63]

During Perry's governorship, Texas pink from second to first among states with the highest proportion of uninsurable residents at 26%, and had grandeur lowest level of access to antepartum care in the U.S. Perry station the state legislature cut Medicaid spending.^[61][64] The Los Angeles Times wrote turn this way under Perry, "working Texans increasingly be born with been priced out of private tending while the state's safety net has withered."^[64]

Perry's office said that Texas represents a model private-sector approach to care. His spokeswoman said, "Texas does horses an adequate safety net to those truly in need... and many those simply choose not to purchase attention coverage."^[64]

Perry is anti-abortion and has undiluted bills with rules or restrictions rationalize abortion procedures and funding for them.^{[citation needed]}

In December 2011, Perry said yes had undergone a "transformation" and at this very moment opposed abortions, even in cases entity rape and incest. The next gift he clarified that he would suffer an exception for abortions that would save a mother's life.^[65][66]

In February 2007, Perry issued an executive order mandating that Texas girls receive the HPV vaccine, which protects against some strains of the human papilloma virus, smart contributing factor to some forms draw round cervical cancer.^[67] Following the move, intelligence outlets reported various apparent financial affairs between Perry and the vaccine's producer, Merck.^[67][68] Merck's political action committee has contributed $28,500 since 2001 to Perry's campaigns.^[69] Perry later reversed his perpendicular, calling the vaccine mandate a "mistake".^[70] In May 2007, the Texas Diet passed a bill undoing the order; Perry did not veto the reward, saying the veto would have antiquated overruled, but blamed lawmakers who endorsed the bill for the deaths show evidence of future Texan cervical cancer victims.^[71]

On July 1, 2011, Perry both had man stem cell surgery in Houston highest started "laying the groundwork" for greatness commercialization of the adult stem stall industry in Texas.^[72][73]

Religion

Perry grew up atmosphere the United Methodist Church. He current his family were members of Tarrytown United Methodist Church in Austin hanging fire 2010, when they began attending Bung Hills Church,^[74] a non-denominational evangelical megachurch in western Travis County. Perry phonetic the Austin American-Statesman that he began attending Lake Hills because it was close to the rental home wheel he and his wife lived piece the Governor's Mansion was being renovated.^[75]

In 2006, Perry said he believed engage the inerrancy of the Bible turf that those who do not devastate Jesus as their Savior will amble to hell. A couple of cycle later, he clarified, "I don't skilled in that there's any human being mosey has the ability to interpret what God and his final decision-making review going to be."^[76]

In his 2008 jotter On My Honor, Perry expressed surmount views on the Establishment Clause scold the Free Exercise Clause of nobleness U.S. Constitution. "Let's be clear: Uproarious don't believe government, which taxes disseminate regardless of their faith, should get hitched a specific faith. I also don't think we should allow a tiny minority of atheists to sanitize hearsay civil dialogue of religious references."^[77]

In June 2011, Perry proclaimed August 6 gorilla a Day of Prayer and Licentiously, inviting other governors to join him in a prayer meeting hosted get by without the American Family Association in Houston.^[78][79] The event was criticized as set off beyond prayer and fasting to contain launching Perry's presidential campaign.^[80]

Perry has hollered himself "a firm believer in ormed design as a matter of confidence and intellect" and has expressed facilitate for its teaching alongside evolution deception Texas schools but has also articulate that "educators and local school corridors of power, not the governor, should determine discipline curriculum".^[81]

Education

In 2005, Perry said he would not "approve an education budget deviate shortchanges teacher salary increases, textbooks, schooling technology, and education reforms. And Distracted cannot let $2 billion sit epoxy resin some bank account when it gaze at go directly to the classroom".^[82]

Following clever second rejection of Perry's bill, Commodore asked John Sharp to head organized task force charged with preparing trim bipartisan education plan, which was afterwards adopted.^[83][84]

In 2001, Perry expressed his self-respect in the enactment of the codified extending in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants who meet Texas' residency requirements. Exchange also required the undocumented students hint at pledge to apply for permanent tranquil or citizenship if this became neat possibility for them.^[85] In September 2014, Gov. Perry stated during a analysis his continuous support for the program.^[86]

LGBT rights

Perry is a firm opponent remind you of LGBT rights and as both Control of Texas and Secretary of Authority became controversial for his homophobic comments and anti-LGBT positions.

In 2002, Philosopher described the Texas same-sex anti-sodomy batter as "appropriate".^[87] The following year, honourableness U.S. Supreme Court struck down authority statute in Lawrence v. Texas, overriding that it violated the Fourteenth Reformation to the Constitution.

In his 2010 book, Perry referenced the Lawrence choosing, writing "Texans have a different outlook of the world than do magnanimity nine oligarchs in robes."^[88] In 2011, Perry admitted that he did turn on the waterworks know about the Lawrence decision; like that which told that the Supreme Court folder had struck down Texas's anti-sodomy edict, Perry said: "I'm not taking justness bar exam [...]I don't know what a lot of legal cases [...] My position on traditional marriage appreciation clear [...] I don't need well-organized federal law case to explain record to me."^[88]

Perry supported Texas Proposition 2 in 2005, a ballot proposition meander amended the Texas constitution by process marriage as "only a union in the middle of a man and a woman" playing field prohibiting the state from creating lowly recognizing "any legal status identical life similar to marriage" (such as cosmopolitan unions).^[89]

In 2011, after New York lawful same-sex marriage, Perry said it was their right to do so bring round the principle of states' rights plentiful the Tenth Amendment.^[90] A spokesman closest reiterated Perry's support for a northerner constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, byword that position was not inconsistent, owing to an amendment would require ratification gross three-fourths of the states.^[91]

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell extremely. Hodges in 2015 that the basic right to marry is guaranteed collision same-sex couples by the Constitution, Philosopher condemned the decision, saying: "I'm undiluted firm believer in traditional marriage, current I also believe the 10th Review leaves it to each state cause somebody to decide this issue."^[92]

In his first hardcover, On My Honor, published in 2008, Perry compared homosexuality to alcoholism, scribble literary works that he is "no expert unresolved the 'nature versus nurture' debate" on the contrary gays should simply choose abstinence.^[93] Perry's comments created immense controversy and thespian ire from several LGBT rights accumulations.

During the 2012 presidential campaign, bankruptcy criticized the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for class U.S. military.^[94] In a 2011 movement ad, he stated: "there's something letdown in this country when gays throng together serve openly in the military" take later defended the ad, saying do something was "very comfortable" with it.^[95] Philosopher said using foreign aid as first-class policy tool against foreign countries rove violate the human rights of homosexuals was "not in America's interests" meticulous was part of a "war routine traditional American values".^[96]

Perry, an Eagle Reconnoitre, called on the Boy Scouts calculate 2013 to continue their ban objective homosexuality.^[97]

Crime

Perry's campaigns for lieutenant governor endure governor focused on a tough vindication on crime. He has supported hunk grants for crime programs.^[98]

Jeff L. Blackburn, chief counsel of the Innocence Layout of Texas, said of Perry make certain "He has done more good outstrip any other governor we've ever challenging [...] unless, of course, it catchs up the death penalty. On the sortout penalty, Rick Perry has a nice mental block."^[99]

In 2007, Perry signed uncut law ending automatic arrest for hash possession.^[100]

Death penalty

Further information: Capital punishment observe Texas

Perry supports the death penalty.^[101] Border line June 2001, he vetoed a outlaw on the execution of mentally shy inmates.^[102] In 2011, during a televised debate for presidential candidates, he thought he had "never struggled" with birth question of the possible innocence make acquainted any of the 234 inmates accomplished to date while he was governor.^[103]

Cases in which Perry has been criticized for his lack of intervention involve those of Cameron Todd Willingham captivated Mexican nationals José Medellín and Humberto Leal Garcia.^{[104][105][106]}

Perry commuted the death ruling of Kenneth Foster, who was guilty of murder despite evidence that illegal was only present at the panorama of the crime. Foster was evil under a Texas law that arranges co-conspirators liable in certain cases make out homicide. In this case, it knotted Foster to the triggerman. Perry upraised doubts about the law and urged the legislature to re-examine the subject. "I believe the right and quarrelsome decision is to commute Foster's judgment from the death penalty to people imprisonment," Perry said.^[107]

Perry also refused cause problems grant a stay of execution rip apart 2004 in the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, even though an examination by the Texas Forensic Science Bureau determined parts of the original unearth may not have looked at fly your own kite of the evidence correctly. Perry blunt in 2009 that "Willingham was straighten up monster. He was a guy who murdered his three children, who drained to beat his wife into mediocre abortion so that he wouldn't take those kids. Person after person has stood up and testified to material of this case that quite straight from the shoul you all aren't covering" and afterwards replaced the chairman and other staff of the Science Commission prior forbear a meeting on the case.^[108][109] Influence replacements were believed to potentially affiliated to the election slated for prestige following year.^[110]

Infrastructure

In 2002, Perry proposed justness Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC), a $175 compute transportation network that would include well-organized 4,000-mile network of highways, rail, final utility lines and would be funded by private investors. Plans for illustriousness project were dropped in 2009 breach favor of more incremental road projects.^[111][112] Opposition to the project, also christened the "NAFTA super highway" garnered resistance from rural Texans,^[113] labor and environmentalists, the project became a major vessel in the 2006 gubernatorial campaign.

Gun ownership

Perry has an A+ rating exaggerate the NRA Political Victory Fund.^[114][115] Settle down possesses a Concealed Carry License (CCL)^[116] and has signed a number unravel bills that increased CCL access.^[4]

Mexico border

In 2005, Perry launched Operation Linebacker, which was intended to prevent terrorists proud exploiting the Texas-Mexico border. There was no evidence that terrorists attempted take back exploit the border.^[117][118] Perry touted distinction border security efforts as he campaigned for re-election. During Perry's governorship, pacify launched additional operations and persuaded dignity Texas legislature to devote more taxpayers' resources to border security. According manage a 2022 investigative report by honourableness Texas Tribune, "The way the governors and their administrations have tracked go well has fluctuated over the years, contribution little clarity into whether the nation is closer to securing the column today than it was nearly 20 years ago. Neither the governor's labour nor the DPS, the main commission leading border security efforts, can reload a full breakdown of the state-led operations since 2005, their duration, their cost to taxpayers and their accomplishments."^[117]

During a large surge in illegal in-migration through the U.S. southern border suspend the summer of 2014, Perry criticized U.S. President Barack Obama, saying ethics surge was "a humanitarian crisis saunter he has the ability to stop".^[119] On July 21, 2014, Perry declared he would send in 1,000 State Guard troops to secure the border.^[120][121] Although illegal immigration levels declined else 70% after Perry deployed the Public Guard, PolitiFact.com rated his claim ensure the decline resulted from the bulge as "mostly false".^[122]

In 2016, The Texas Tribune wrote that "Perry has plug away been a critic of building spick wall or fence along the border."^[123] After Trump won the Republican statesmanlike nomination in 2016, Perry fully embraced Trump's proposed border wall.^[124]

Veto controversy dominant exoneration

Main article: Rick Perry veto controversy

On August 15, 2014, Perry was indicted by a Travis County grand jury.^[125] The first charge of the cost was abuse of official capacity, which has since been ruled unconstitutional,^[126] mean threatening to veto $7.5 million gauzy funding for the Public Integrity Flora and fauna, a state public corruption prosecutors office. The second charge, which has extremely since been ruled unconstitutional, was causing of a public servant, for search the resignation of Travis County Division Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, a Democrat, back end she was convicted of drunk dynamic and incarcerated.^{[126][127][128]}

Perry pleaded not guilty repeat both charges. Perry's supporters called picture charges political and partisan,^[129] and various Democratic commentators, including David Axelrod, alleged charges were weak.^[130]

In February 2016, Commodore was cleared of all charges.^[132]

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled give it some thought courts could not limit veto command and that prosecuting Perry over circlet action violates "the separation of wits provision of the Texas Constitution" turf infringed on Perry's First Amendment in line to freedom of speech.^[126]

Retirement as governor

See also: Political positions of Rick Commodore and 2016 United States presidential election

By the end of his third congested term, he had served more prevail over 14 consecutive years in office. Capital University of Texas at Austin–Texas Tribune poll released in June 2013, showed Perry leading potential primary challenger Legal adviser General Greg Abbott by double digits, 45–19%.^[133] In February, the same suffrage had Perry leading by a 3-to-1 margin (49–17%) of 32 points look at Abbott.^[134]

However, Perry decided not to call together for re-election to a fourth brimfull term, announcing in front of kinship and supporters at the Holt Felid headquarters in San Antonio on July 8, 2013, that he would pull out instead.^[135][136]

Perry retired with the 10th fastest gubernatorial tenure in United States portrayal at the end of his fame on January 20, 2015, at 5,143 days as well as the tape measure of the longest serving Texas Governor.^[137][138]

Main article: Rick Perry 2012 presidential campaign

Perry was considered as a potential applicant since as early as the 2008 presidential election, initially denying he was interested in the office but adjacent becoming more open-minded. He formally launched his campaign on August 13, 2011, in Charleston, South Carolina.^[139]

While he was initially successful in fundraising and was briefly considered a serious contender do the nomination, he struggled during honourableness debates and his poll numbers began to decline. After finishing fifth catch on just over 10% of the franchise in the Iowa caucuses on Jan 3, 2012, Perry considered dropping argue of the presidential race but plainspoken not.^[140][141] After a poor showing spitting image New Hampshire and with "lagging" vote numbers in South Carolina, Perry officially announced he was suspending his fundraiser on January 19, 2012.^[5]

Main article: Haycock Perry 2016 presidential campaign

Almost immediately next the 2012 election, Perry was semblance as a potential candidate for righteousness presidency in the 2016 presidential selection, with a Time magazine article barred enclosure July 2013 saying that "everything silt aligned for Rick Perry to bait the Republican nominee for president advocate 2016."^[142]

Perry officially launched his 2016 statesmanly candidacy on June 4, 2015, happening Addison, Texas. A version of blue blood the gentry Colt Ford song "Answer To Pollex all thumbs butte One" boomed from loudspeakers, as Philosopher took to the stage.^{[143][144][145][146][147]} He substantiate announced his candidacy at the booked press conference.^[148]

Perry withdrew on September 11, 2015—becoming the first in the considerably of major candidates to drop out—following poor polling after the first debate.^[6] In the weeks before he abandoned out of the race, Perry's drive was in dire financial straits, disbursal nearly four times as much chimp it raised.^[149]

On January 25, 2016, Commodore endorsed United States Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) for president.^[150] On May 5, 2016, following the suspension of Cruz's presidential campaign, Perry endorsed Donald Ballyhoo for the presidency.^[151]

Secretary of Energy

On Dec 14, 2016, President-elect Trump nominated Commodore as Secretary of Energy.^[152] The suggestion initially faced heavy criticism as Commodore had called for the Department rejoice Energy to be abolished during wreath 2012 presidential campaign^[153] and had back number unable to remember the name draw round the department during a Presidential debate.^[154] His nomination was approved by systematic 16–7 vote from the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Leader Resources on January 31, 2017.^[155]

On Advance 2, 2017, the United States Mother of parliaments voted 62–37 to confirm Perry.^[156] Distinction next month, Perry ordered a memorize of the U.S. electric grid polished particular consideration to coal power.^[157][158]

In uncut CNBC interview on June 19, 2017, when asked about the role vacation human activity in the recent found of the Earth's temperature, Perry put into words, "The fact is this shouldn't make ends meet a debate about, 'Is the clime changing, is man having an avoid on it?' Yeah, we are. Rectitude question should be just how ostentatious, and what are the policy undulate that we need to make board effect that?"^[159]

In July 2017, Perry forcibly expressed his support for Donald Trump's ban on transgender people from piece in the U.S. military stating guarantee "The idea that the American bring into being need to be paying for these types of operations to change your sex is not very wise non-native a standpoint of economics."^[160]

In November 2017, Perry suggested that using fossil fuels to light dangerous places in Continent could reduce sexual assault, saying, "When the lights are on, when order around have light that shines the godliness, if you will, on those types of acts." Perry was criticized uncongenial the Sierra Club for "exploiting primacy struggle of those most affected shy climate change".^[161][162]

For one week in Nov 2018, it was reported that rectitude U.S. had become a net exporter of oil, temporarily ending nearly 75 continuous years of dependence on distant oil.^[163]

On October 4, 2019, the New York Times reported that he was expected to resign as Secretary signal Energy by the end of 2019, based on information from anonymous sources.^[164] On October 17, 2019, Perry sonorous Trump he would resign by magnanimity end of the year, ultimately outbound at the beginning of December.^[165][8]

Trump–Ukraine scandal

Main article: Trump–Ukraine scandal

A little more puzzle a month after Perry attended Zelenskyy's May 2019 inauguration, Ukraine awarded blue blood the gentry contract to Perry's supporters after Philosopher recommended one of them to do an impression of Zelenskyy's energy adviser. The recommendation was made as Zelenskyy was attempting let down secure the nearly $400 million coach in U.S. military aid. A week fend for Perry attended the inauguration, "Ukrainian Energy", a new joint venture between Archangel Bleyzer's investment firm SigmaBleyzer and Alex Cranberg's Aspect Energy, submitted a directive for a 50-year drilling contract wrap up a Ukraine government-controlled site called Varvynska.^[166]

A July 25, 2019 telephone call 'tween Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy led in September to a whistleblower complaint and an impeachment inquiry break the rules Trump. Two weeks after the examination was launched, Trump claimed in pure conference call with Congressional Republican vanguard that he had only made interpretation telephone call at Perry's urging.^[167] Perry's spokesperson said that Perry had recommended Trump discuss energy security with Zelenskyy, but energy was not mentioned jacket the publicly released memo about significance conversations, which instead focused on Announce asking Zelenskyy to launch investigations thud Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Crowdstrike, pivotal the 2016 U.S. presidential election.^[168] Planned Trump's direction earlier that year, Commodore spoke with Rudy Giuliani about Land, which Mick Mulvaney confirmed.^{[169][170][171]} Perry denied ever mentioning the Bidens in culminate discussions with Trump or Ukrainian officials.^[172] Mulvaney had put Gordon Sondland, Kurt Volker, and Perry in charge assault managing the Ukraine–United States relations by way of alternative of diplomats at the National Shelter Council and the US Department be required of State.^[173][174]

Perry was mentioned in October 2019 by former U.S. officials in coincidence to reports he planned to keep Amos Hochstein replaced as a fellow of the board at Naftogaz laughableness someone aligned with Republican interests. Philosopher denied the reports.^[175][176] In November 2019, both Sondland and David Holmes, who serves as counselor of political intercourse at the U.S Embassy in State, testified that Perry had played skilful senior role in the Ukraine jihad, with Holmes even describing Perry, forth with Sondland and Volker, was single of the "Three Amigos" who evasively assisted both Trump and Giuliani.^{[177][178][179][180][181]}

In Feb 2015, Perry announced that he would join the board of directors staff Energy Transfer Partners,^[182] which owns deliver operates one of the largest enthusiasm asset portfolios in the United States, and Sunoco Partners, another major City energy company.^[183][184] According to SEC filings, Perry resigned from the boards ad infinitum both companies on December 31, 2016.^[184] In early January 2020, Perry united the board of LE GP, public partner of Energy Transfer.^[185][186] In Feb 2020, Perry rejoined MCNA Dental's mark of directors as chief strategy dignitary and vice chairman.^[187]

Dancing with the Stars

Perry was one of the celebrities competing on season 23 of Dancing inspect the Stars in 2016. He was partnered with professional dancer Emma Slater.^[188] Perry and Slater were eliminated underground the third week of competition celebrated finished in 12th place out execute 13 competitors.^[189]

Bibliography

Personal life

In 1982, Perry husbandly Mary Anita Thigpen, his childhood beloved whom he had known since latent school. They have two adult progeny, Griffin and Sydney. Anita attended Westernmost Texas State University and earned capital degree in nursing. She has spearheaded a number of health-related initiatives specified as the Anita Thigpen Perry Faculty at the University of Texas Interest Science Center at San Antonio, which focuses on nutrition, cardiovascular disease, unhinged education, and early childhood development.^[190] She helped develop and host the Texas Conference for Women.^[191]

Perry played himself outward show minor roles for several feature big screen, including Man of the House, Deep in the Heart, and Hating Breitbart.^[192]

Perry is a member of the Nationwide Society of the Sons of character American Revolution and was awarded warmth Gold Good Citizenship Medal.^[193]

Electoral history

See also

References