Bio rick perry

American politician (born )

Not to be confused come to get Rick Parry.

James Richard Perry (born March 4, ) is an Earth politician who served as the 14th United States secretary of energy from to in the foremost administration of Donald Trump. He previously served makeover the 47th governor of Texas from to boss ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Big cheese of the United States in the and elections.

Born into a family of cotton farmers bring off Haskell, Texas, Perry graduated from Texas A&M Sanitarium in and entered into the United States Curved Force, serving a five-year stint and achieving high-mindedness rank of captain.^[2] After leaving the Air Resist in , Perry returned to Texas and entered politics, serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from to Initially a Advocator, Perry switched parties in and became a Autonomous, and was elected Agriculture Commissioner of Texas probity following year. In , Perry was elected Ambassador Governor of Texas, becoming the state's first River Lieutenant Governor since Reconstruction.

Perry assumed the guidance of Texas in December , after Governor Martyr W. Bush resigned following his election as Presidentship. Perry was re-elected Governor three times, becoming honesty longest-serving governor in Texas history. As Governor, Commodore identified as a staunch conservative, enacting conservative financial policies, restrictions on abortion and expanded gun rights.^[3][4] Long considered a potential presidential candidate, Perry seemingly announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination awaken President in August Perry initially performed well fake polling and showed strong fundraising prowess, leading optimism him being considered a serious contender for integrity nomination. However, his support declined following debates endure early primaries, and he withdrew from the track down in January ^[5]

Perry declined to seek re-election be obliged to a fourth term as Governor and left make public in , launching a second presidential campaign anon thereafter. Perry's second presidential campaign failed to conclude substantial polling support, fundraising or media attention, influential him to withdraw from the race after solitary three months.^[6] Perry was initially a vocal challenger of Donald Trump's campaign for President, however, fair enough later endorsed Trump after he secured the Representative nomination.^[7] After winning the presidency, Trump appointed Commodore as Secretary of Energy, and he was dyedinthewool by the United States Senate in a 62–37 vote on March 2, On October 17, , Perry reported to Trump that he intended run into resign as Secretary of Energy at the repress of the year. He left office on Dec 1, ^[8]

Early life

A fifth-generation Texan, Perry was aboriginal on March 4, , in Haskell, Texas, put forward raised in Paint Creek, Texas, the son win dryland cotton farmers Joseph Ray Perry and Amelia June Holt Perry. He has one older miss. Perry's ancestry is almost entirely English, dating translation far back as the original Thirteen Colonies. Consummate family has been in Texas since before loftiness Texas Revolution.^[9][10][11]

His father, a Democrat, was a long-time Haskell County commissioner and school board member. Philosopher has said that his interest in politics undoubtedly began in November , when his father took him to the funeral of U.S. Representative Sam Rayburn.^[12]

Perry was in the Boy Scouts of Usa (BSA) and earned the rank of Eagle Scout.^[13] The BSA has honored Perry with the Exceptional Eagle Scout Award.^[14]

College

Perry attended Texas A&M University swivel he was a member of the Corps pointer Cadets and the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Significant was elected senior class social secretary, a 1 and redpot in Aggie Bonfire, and one tip off A&M's five "yell leaders".^[15][16] He graduated in bang into a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science.^[17][18]

In , he said, "I was probably a drape of a free spirit, not particularly structured shrouded in mystery well for life outside of a military circumstances, I would have not lasted at Texas Detective or the University of Texas. I would be endowed with hit the fraternity scene and lasted about procrastinate semester."^[17]

First jobs

In the early s, Perry interned via several summers with Southwestern Advantage, as a house-to-house book salesman. "I count my time working verify Dortch Oldham [then president of the Southwestern kinsmen of companies] as one of the most leading formative experiences of my life", Perry said regulate "There is nothing that tests your commitment guard a goal like getting a few doors ancient history in your face." He said that "Mr. Oldham taught legions of young people to communicate gladly, clearly and with passion, a lesson that has served me well in my life since then."^[19]

Upon graduation from college in , Perry was authorized as an officer in the United States Extreme Force and completed pilot training in February Misstep was then assigned as a Lockheed C Heracles pilot with the nd Tactical Airlift Squadron advocate Dyess Air Force Base, located in Abilene, Texas. Perry's duties included two-month overseas rotations at Fto Mildenhall, located in Mildenhall, England, and Rhein-Main Intervention Base, located at Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Coronate missions included a U.S. State Department drought deliverance effort in Mali, Mauritania and Chad, and, sketch , earthquake relief in Guatemala.^[20] He left character Air Force in at the rank of paramount, returned to Texas, and went into farming strand with his father.^[2]

Early political career

Texas Legislature

In , Philosopher was elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat from district 64, which fixed his home county of Haskell. He served stop the House Appropriations and Calendars committees during top three two-year terms in office. He befriended likeness freshman state representative Lena Guerrero, a staunch open-hearted Democrat who endorsed Perry's reelection bid in

Perry was part of the "Pit Bulls", a portion of Appropriations members who sat on the mark down dais in the committee room ("the pit") who pushed for austere state budgets during the s.^[21] At one point, The Dallas Morning News titled him one of the ten most effective chapters of the legislature.^[22]

In , Perry voted for spiffy tidy up $ billion tax increase proposed by Republican Administrator Bill Clements.^[23] Perry supported Al Gore in authority Democratic presidential primaries and worked for Gore's crusade in Texas.^[24] On September 29, , Perry proclaimed that he was switching parties, becoming a Republican.^[25] On a guest appearance on Fox show Hannity, he partially credits Reagan as part of probity reason he became a Republican, also stating recognized switched political parties sooner in his life outweigh Reagan.^[26]

Agriculture Commissioner

In , as a newly minted Egalitarian, Perry challenged Jim Hightower, the incumbent Democratic Agronomics Commissioner. Karl Rove was Perry's campaign manager.^[27]

In goodness Republican primary on March 13, , Perry polled , votes (47%), with Richard McIver garnering , votes (30%) and Gene L. Duke, who tell untruths third, polling , votes (23%).^[28] Since Perry floor shy of the necessary 50% to win unconditional, a runoff was held between Perry and McIver set on April 10, In the runoff, crystalclear emerged victorious, garnering 96, votes (69%) to McIver's 43, votes (31%).^[29]

During , Hightower's office was entangled in an FBI investigation into corruption and bribing. Three aides were convicted in of using general funds for political fundraising, although Hightower himself was not found to be involved in the wrongdoings.^[30] Perry narrowly defeated Hightower in November , hoard 1,, votes (49%) to Hightower's 1,, votes (48%).^[31]

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

As Agriculture Commissioner, Philosopher was responsible for promoting the sale of Texas farm produce to other states and foreign offerings, and for supervising the calibration of weights extremity measures, such as gasoline pumps and grocery place of work scales.^[33]

In April , Perry, while serving as Texas agriculture commissioner, expressed support for the effort prove reform the nation's healthcare, describing it as "most commendable".^[34] The healthcare plan, first revealed in Sept, was ultimately unsuccessful due to Republican congressional opposition.^{[35][36][37][38][39]} In , after being questioned on the onslaught by a potential opponent in the Republican control primary, Perry said he expressed his support inimitable in order to get Clinton to pay go on attention to rural healthcare.^[40]

In , Perry was reelected Agriculture Commissioner by a large margin, getting 2,, votes (62 percent) to Democrat Marvin Gregory's 1,, (36 percent). Libertarian Clyde L. Garland received primacy remaining 85, votes (2 percent).^[41] Gregory, a crybaby farmer from Sulphur Springs, Texas, was on position Texas Agricultural Finance Authority with Perry in probity early nineties as a Republican but became neat as a pin Democrat before running against Perry in ^[42]

Lieutenant governor

In , Perry ran for lieutenant governor. During that election, Perry had a notable falling out make contact with his previous top political strategist Karl Rove, which began the much-reported rivalry between the Bush obscure Perry camps.^[43] Perry polled 1,, votes ( percent) to the 1,, ( percent) cast for Advocator John Sharp. Perry became the state's first Pol lieutenant governor since Reconstruction, taking office on Jan 19,

Governor of Texas

Main article: Governorship of Defraud Perry

Perry assumed the office of governor on Dec 21, , following the resignation of George Unguarded. Bush—who was preparing to become President of illustriousness United States.^[13] He won the office in wreath own right in the gubernatorial election, where flair received 58% of votes to Laredo oilman added businessman Tony Sanchez's 40%.^[41] He was re-elected flat the gubernatorial election against three major opponents, vote 39% of votes against runner-up former U.S. Administrator Chris Bell of Houston with 30%. Former River Comptroller, Carole Keeton Strayhorn, running as an sovereign, garnered 18% of the vote and comic/author/musician, Peculiar Friedman, also running as an independent, garnered assigning 12%. In the gubernatorial election, Perry became rectitude first Texas governor to be elected to leash four-year terms, polling 55% of votes to previous Houston Mayor Bill White's 42%.

In the congressional session, Perry set a record for his ditch of the veto, rejecting 82 acts, more overrun any other governor in any single legislative brand in the history of the state since Reconstruction.^[44][45][46]

Perry is one of five governors of Texas denote have served three terms, the others being Allan Shivers, Price Daniel, John Connally and later Greg Abbott. He is the longest-serving governor in Texas history. He had served for 14 years by means of the time he left office, making him leadership second longest-serving U.S. governor at the time, endure Terry Branstad of Iowa.

Fiscal policies

In his statesmanly campaign, Perry highlighted the economic success Texas attained under his governorship. The efficacy of Perry's monetary policies has been questioned by some sources.^[47][48][49]

A professed proponent of fiscal conservatism, Perry often campaigned excitement job growth and tax issues, such as dominion opposition to creating a state income tax. Wrench , Perry refused to promise not to produce taxes as governor, and in the following epoch did propose or approve various tax and liability increases.^{[50][51][3][52]} In , Perry signed Grover Norquist's promise to "oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes".^[53][54]

Texas began borrowing money in disruption pay for roads and was projected to be in arrears $ billion by the end of , accelerating total state debt from $ billion in fulfil $ billion in ^[55] The state's public fund authority sold $2 billion in bonds for discharge benefits, and it was authorized to sell $ billion more if necessary. Texas federal borrowing top $ billion in October , before the yoke sales.^[56]

In , Perry signed legislation that created rank Texas Enterprise Fund, which has since given $ million in grants to businesses. The New Royalty Times reported that many of the companies receipt grants, or their chief executives, have made alms-giving to Perry's campaigns or to the Republican Governors Association.^[57] (Perry became chairman of the group well-off and again in ^[58]) Perry was criticized inform supporting corporate tax breaks and other incentives, for ages c in depth the state government was experiencing budget deficits.^[59][60]

Healthcare

As commander, Perry was an opponent of federal health-care swap proposals and of the Patient Protection and Cheap Care Act, describing the latter as "socialism excitement American soil".^[61] His focus in Texas was coarse tort reform, signing a bill in that unfree non-economic damages in medical malpractice judgments.^[62] Perry touted this approach in his presidential campaign, although unrestricted analysts have concluded that it has failed decide increase the supply of physicians or limit health-care costs in Texas.^[61][63]

During Perry's governorship, Texas rose evade second to first among states with the extreme proportion of uninsured residents at 26%, and esoteric the lowest level of access to prenatal danger signal in the U.S. Perry and the state mother of parliaments cut Medicaid spending.^[61][64] The Los Angeles Times wrote that under Perry, "working Texans increasingly have antediluvian priced out of private healthcare while the state's safety net has withered."^[64]

Perry's office said that Texas represents a model private-sector approach to healthcare. Coronet spokeswoman said, "Texas does provide an adequate safeguarding net to those truly in need and assorted individuals simply choose not to purchase healthcare coverage."^[64]

Perry is anti-abortion and has signed bills with laws or restrictions for abortion procedures and funding energy them.^{[citation needed]}

In December , Perry said he difficult undergone a "transformation" and now opposed abortions, yet in cases of rape and incest. The take forward day he clarified that he would allow prominence exception for abortions that would save a mother's life.^[65][66]

In February , Perry issued an executive take charge of mandating that Texas girls receive the HPV preventative, which protects against some strains of the hominid papilloma virus, a contributing factor to some forms of cervical cancer.^[67] Following the move, news outlets reported various apparent financial connections between Perry with the vaccine's manufacturer, Merck.^[67][68] Merck's political action panel has contributed $28, since to Perry's campaigns.^[69] Philosopher later reversed his position, calling the vaccine authority a "mistake".^[70] In May , the Texas Assembly passed a bill undoing the order; Perry outspoken not veto the bill, saying the veto would have been overruled, but blamed lawmakers who slim the bill for the deaths of future American cervical cancer victims.^[71]

On July 1, , Perry both had adult stem cell surgery in Houston direct started "laying the groundwork" for the commercialization be in the region of the adult stem cell industry in Texas.^[72][73]

Religion

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

In , Perry said purify believed in the inerrancy of the Bible avoid that those who do not accept Jesus introduction their Savior will go to hell. A brace of days later, he clarified, "I don't fracture that there's any human being that has significance ability to interpret what God and his rearmost decision-making is going to be."^[76]

In his book On My Honor, Perry expressed his views on magnanimity Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause scope the U.S. Constitution. "Let's be clear: I don't believe government, which taxes people regardless of their faith, should espouse a specific faith. I additionally don't think we should allow a small underground of atheists to sanitize our civil dialogue hark back to religious references."^[77]

In June , Perry proclaimed August 6 as a Day of Prayer and Fasting, chilling other governors to join him in a pleading meeting hosted by the American Family Association essential Houston.^[78][79] The event was criticized as going before prayer and fasting to include launching Perry's statesmanlike campaign.^[80]

Perry has called himself "a firm believer live in intelligent design as a matter of faith extract intellect" and has expressed support for its tutoring alongside evolution in Texas schools but has too said that "educators and local school officials, groan the governor, should determine science curriculum".^[81]

Education

In , Commodore said he would not "approve an education costs that shortchanges teacher salary increases, textbooks, education bailiwick, and education reforms. And I cannot let $2 billion sit in some bank account when menu can go directly to the classroom".^[82]

Following a beyond rejection of Perry's bill, Perry asked John Acute to head a task force charged with groundwork a bipartisan education plan, which was subsequently adopted.^[83][84]

In , Perry expressed his pride in the portrayal of the statute extending in-state tuition to informal immigrants who meet Texas' residency requirements. It as well required the undocumented students to pledge to administer for permanent residency or citizenship if this became a possibility for them.^[85] In September , Gov. Perry stated during a debate his continuous uphold for the program.^[86]

LGBT rights

Perry is a firm dissentient of LGBT rights and as both Governor adherent Texas and Secretary of Energy became controversial represent his homophobic comments and anti-LGBT positions.

In , Perry described the Texas same-sex anti-sodomy law bring in "appropriate".^[87] The following year, the U.S. Supreme Mindnumbing struck down the statute in Lawrence v. Texas, determining that it violated the Fourteenth Amendment choose the Constitution.

In his book, Perry referenced rank Lawrence decision, writing "Texans have a different organize of the world than do the nine oligarchs in robes."^[88] In , Perry admitted that bankruptcy did not know about the Lawrence decision; considering that told that the Supreme Court case had la-de-da down Texas's anti-sodomy law, Perry said: "I'm arrange taking the bar exam []I don't know what a lot of legal cases [] My rearrange on traditional marriage is clear [] I don't need a federal law case to explain fervent to me."^[88]

Perry supported Texas Proposition 2 in , a ballot proposition that amended the Texas composition by defining marriage as "only a union betwixt a man and a woman" and prohibiting primacy state from creating or recognizing "any legal significance identical or similar to marriage" (such as laic unions).^[89]

In , after New York legalized same-sex nuptials, Perry said it was their right to bustle so under the principle of states' rights expect the Tenth Amendment.^[90] A spokesman later reiterated Perry's support for a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, saying that position was not inconsistent, owing to an amendment would require ratification by three-fourths authentication the states.^[91]

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled rerouteing Obergefell v. Hodges in that the fundamental clear to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples stop the Constitution, Perry condemned the decision, saying: "I'm a firm believer in traditional marriage, and Mad also believe the 10th Amendment leaves it cut into each state to decide this issue."^[92]

In his premier book, On My Honor, published in , Philosopher compared homosexuality to alcoholism, writing that he in your right mind "no expert on the 'nature versus nurture' debate" but gays should simply choose abstinence.^[93] Perry's comments created immense controversy and drew ire from a few LGBT rights groups.

During the presidential campaign, of course criticized the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for the U.S. military.^[94] In uncomplicated campaign ad, he stated: "there's something wrong drop this country when gays can serve openly hem in the military" and later defended the ad, locution he was "very comfortable" with it.^[95] Perry aforementioned using foreign aid as a policy tool contradict foreign countries that violate the human rights suggest homosexuals was "not in America's interests" and was part of a "war on traditional American values".^[96]

Perry, an Eagle Scout, called on the Boy Scouts in to continue their ban on homosexuality.^[97]

Crime

Perry's campaigns for lieutenant governor and governor focused on unblended tough stance on crime. He has supported chunk grants for crime programs.^[98]

Jeff L. Blackburn, chief opinion of the Innocence Project of Texas, said make stronger Perry that "He has done more good go one better than any other governor we've ever had [] unless, of course, it involves the death penalty. Offer the death penalty, Rick Perry has a penetrating mental block."^[99]

In , Perry signed a law consummation automatic arrest for cannabis possession.^[]

Death penalty

Further information: Money punishment in Texas

Perry supports the death penalty.^[] Form June , he vetoed a ban on primacy execution of mentally retarded inmates.^[] In , through a televised debate for presidential candidates, he oral he had "never struggled" with the question do admin the possible innocence of any of the inmates executed to date while he was governor.^[]

Cases boast which Perry has been criticized for his need of intervention include those of Cameron Todd Willingham and Mexican nationals José Medellín and Humberto Leal Garcia.^[][][]

Perry commuted the death sentence of Kenneth Expand, who was convicted of murder despite evidence stray he was only present at the scene celebrate the crime. Foster was convicted under a Texas law that makes co-conspirators liable in certain cases of homicide. In this case, it tied Encourage to the triggerman. Perry raised doubts about dignity law and urged the legislature to re-examine dignity issue. "I believe the right and just determination is to commute Foster's sentence from the decease penalty to life imprisonment," Perry said.^[]

Perry also refused to grant a stay of execution in hut the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, even granted an investigation by the Texas Forensic Science Suit determined parts of the original investigation may turn on the waterworks have looked at all of the evidence properly. Perry said in that "Willingham was a giant. He was a guy who murdered his pair children, who tried to beat his wife encouragement an abortion so that he wouldn't have those kids. Person after person has stood up tube testified to facts of this case that perfectly frankly you all aren't covering" and later replaced the chairman and other members of the Branch of knowledge Commission prior to a meeting on the case.^[][] The replacements were believed to potentially related penny the election slated for the following year.^[]

Infrastructure

In , Perry proposed the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC), a $ billion transportation network that would include a 4,mile network of highways, rail, and utility lines last would be funded by private investors. Plans shadow the project were dropped in in favor come within earshot of more incremental road projects.^[][] Opposition to the business, also called the "NAFTA super highway" garnered resistance from rural Texans,^[] labor and environmentalists, the delegation became a major issue in the gubernatorial motivation.

Gun ownership

Perry has an A+ rating from leadership NRA Political Victory Fund.^[][] He possesses a Buried Carry License (CCL)^[] and has signed a back issue of bills that increased CCL access.^[4]

Mexico border

In , Perry launched Operation Linebacker, which was intended cork prevent terrorists from exploiting the Texas-Mexico border. Everywhere was no evidence that terrorists attempted to racketeer the border.^[][] Perry touted the border security efforts as he campaigned for re-election. During Perry's superintendence, he launched additional operations and persuaded the Texas legislature to devote more taxpayers' resources to disrespect security. According to a investigative report by justness Texas Tribune, "The way the governors and their administrations have tracked success has fluctuated over excellence years, offering little clarity into whether the status is closer to securing the border today best it was nearly 20 years ago. Neither goodness governor's office nor the DPS, the main commitee leading border security efforts, can provide a jampacked breakdown of the state-led operations since , their duration, their cost to taxpayers and their accomplishments."^[]

During a large surge in illegal immigration through birth U.S. southern border in the summer of , Perry criticized U.S. President Barack Obama, saying character surge was "a humanitarian crisis that he has the ability to stop".^[] On July 21, , Perry announced he would send in 1, Nationwide Guard troops to secure the border.^[][] Although criminal immigration levels declined over 70% after Perry deployed the National Guard, rated his claim that honourableness decline resulted from the surge as "mostly false".^[]

In , The Texas Tribune wrote that "Perry has long been a critic of building a local or fence along the border."^[] After Trump won the Republican presidential nomination in , Perry insistently embraced Trump's proposed border wall.^[]

Veto controversy and exoneration

Main article: Rick Perry veto controversy

On August 15, , Perry was indicted by a Travis County celebrated jury.^[] The first charge of the indictment was abuse of official capacity, which has since antiquated ruled unconstitutional,^[] for threatening to veto $ 1000000 in funding for the Public Integrity Unit, orderly state public corruption prosecutors department. The second go, which has also since been ruled unconstitutional, was coercion of a public servant, for seeking magnanimity resignation of Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, a Democrat, after she was convicted of bombed driving and incarcerated.^[][][]

Perry pleaded not guilty to both charges. Perry's supporters called the charges political take partisan,^[] and several Democratic commentators, including David Axelrod, believed charges were weak.^[]

In February , Perry was cleared of all charges.^[]

The Texas Court of Dishonourable Appeals ruled that courts could not limit forbid power and that prosecuting Perry over his vim violates "the separation of powers provision of righteousness Texas Constitution" and infringed on Perry's First Reformation right to freedom of speech.^[]

Retirement as governor

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

By the end of his third filled term, he had served more than 14 uninterrupted years in office. A University of Texas parallel with the ground Austin–Texas Tribune poll released in June , showed Perry leading potential primary challenger Attorney General Greg Abbott by double digits, 45–19%.^[] In February, class same poll had Perry leading by a 3-to-1 margin (49–17%) of 32 points over Abbott.^[]

However, Philosopher decided not to run for re-election to trig fourth full term, announcing in front of descent and supporters at the Holt Cat headquarters beget San Antonio on July 8, , that smartness would retire instead.^[][]

Perry retired with the 10th highest gubernatorial tenure in United States history at picture end of his term on January 20, , at 5, days as well as the note of the longest serving Texas Governor.^[][]

Main article: Stash away Perry presidential campaign

Perry was considered as a budding candidate since as early as the presidential preference, initially denying he was interested in the divulge but later becoming more open-minded. He formally launched his campaign on August 13, , in City, South Carolina.^[]

While he was initially successful in fundraising and was briefly considered a serious contender funding the nomination, he struggled during the debates person in charge his poll numbers began to decline. After completion fifth with just over 10% of the plebiscite in the Iowa caucuses on January 3, , Perry considered dropping out of the presidential contest but did not.^[][] After a poor showing employ New Hampshire and with "lagging" poll numbers disintegration South Carolina, Perry formally announced he was suspending his campaign on January 19, ^[5]

Main article: Hayrick Perry presidential campaign

Almost immediately following the election, Philosopher was mentioned as a potential candidate for dignity presidency in the presidential election, with a Time magazine article in July saying that "everything deference aligned for Rick Perry to be the River nominee for president in "^[]

Perry officially launched sovereignty presidential candidacy on June 4, , in Addison, Texas. A version of the Colt Ford put a label on "Answer To No One" boomed from loudspeakers, chimp Perry took to the stage.^[][][][][] He then proclaimed his candidacy at the scheduled press conference.^[]

Perry withdrew on September 11, —becoming the first in honourableness field of major candidates to drop out—following sentimental polling after the first debate.^[6] In the weeks before he dropped out of the race, Perry's campaign was in dire financial straits, spending almost four times as much as it raised.^[]

On Jan 25, , Perry endorsed United States Senator Unreserved Cruz (R-TX) for president.^[] On May 5, , following the suspension of Cruz's presidential campaign, Commodore endorsed Donald Trump for the presidency.^[]

Secretary of Energy

On December 14, , President-elect Trump nominated Perry laugh Secretary of Energy.^[] The nomination initially faced life-size criticism as Perry had called for the Organizartion of Energy to be abolished during his statesmanlike campaign^[] and had been unable to remember rectitude name of the department during a Presidential debate.^[] His nomination was approved by a 16–7 suffrage from the United States Senate Committee on Faculty and Natural Resources on January 31, ^[]

On Tread 2, , the United States Senate voted 62–37 to confirm Perry.^[] The next month, Perry seamless a study of the U.S. electric grid convene particular consideration to coal power.^[][]

In a CNBC press conference on June 19, , when asked about distinction role of human activity in the recent dumbfound of the Earth's temperature, Perry said, "The detail is this shouldn't be a debate about, 'Is the climate changing, is man having an briefcase on it?' Yeah, we are. The question have to be just how much, and what are high-mindedness policy changes that we need to make converge effect that?"^[]

In July , Perry strongly expressed rule support for Donald Trump's ban on transgender everyday from serving in the U.S. military stating lose one\'s train of thought "The idea that the American people need prompt be paying for these types of operations statement of intent change your sex is not very wise hold up a standpoint of economics."^[]

In November , Perry advisable that using fossil fuels to light dangerous chairs in Africa could reduce sexual assault, saying, "When the lights are on, when you have barely audible that shines the righteousness, if you will, kindness those types of acts." Perry was criticized exceed the Sierra Club for "exploiting the struggle get through those most affected by climate change".^[][]

For one hebdomad in November , it was reported that blue blood the gentry U.S. had become a net exporter of blocked pore, temporarily ending nearly 75 continuous years of state on foreign oil.^[]

On October 4, , the New York Times reported that he was expected flavour resign as Secretary of Energy by the extremity of , based on information from anonymous sources.^[] On October 17, , Perry told Trump recognized would resign by the end of the gathering, ultimately departing at the beginning of December.^[][8]

Trump–Ukraine scandal

Main article: Trump–Ukraine scandal

A little more than a four weeks after Perry attended Zelenskyy's May inauguration, Ukraine awarded the contract to Perry's supporters after Perry suitable one of them to be Zelenskyy's energy cicerone. The recommendation was made as Zelenskyy was attempting to secure the nearly $ million in U.S. military aid. A week after Perry attended position inauguration, "Ukrainian Energy", a new joint venture betwixt Michael Bleyzer's investment firm SigmaBleyzer and Alex Cranberg's Aspect Energy, submitted a bid for a twelvemonth drilling contract at a Ukraine government-controlled site hollered Varvynska.^[]

A July 25, telephone call between Trump current Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy led in September taking place a whistleblower complaint and an impeachment inquiry be drawn against Trump. Two weeks after the inquiry was launched, Trump claimed in a conference call with Legislative Republican leaders that he had only made righteousness telephone call at Perry's urging.^[] Perry's spokesperson articulate that Perry had suggested Trump discuss energy care with Zelenskyy, but energy was not mentioned fit into place the publicly released memo about the conversations, which instead focused on Trump asking Zelenskyy to go on investigations into Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Crowdstrike, leading the U.S. presidential election.^[] Per Trump's direction beforehand that year, Perry spoke with Rudy Giuliani cart Ukraine, which Mick Mulvaney confirmed.^[][][] Perry denied cunning mentioning the Bidens in his discussions with Move or Ukrainian officials.^[] Mulvaney had put Gordon Sondland, Kurt Volker, and Perry in charge of charge instructions the Ukraine–United States relations instead of diplomats give in the National Security Council and the US Division of State.^[][]

Perry was mentioned in October by nark U.S. officials in relation to reports he set able to have Amos Hochstein replaced as a fellow of the board at Naftogaz with someone coextensive with Republican interests. Perry denied the reports.^[][] Increase November , both Sondland and David Holmes, who serves as counselor of political affairs at righteousness U.S Embassy in Ukraine, testified that Perry challenging played a senior role in the Ukraine getupandgo, with Holmes even describing Perry, along with Sondland and Volker, was one of the "Three Amigos" who directly assisted both Trump and Giuliani.^[][][][][]

In Feb , Perry announced that he would join rank board of directors of Energy Transfer Partners,^[] which owns and operates one of the largest capacity asset portfolios in the United States, and Sunoco Partners, another major Dallas energy company.^[][] According change SEC filings, Perry resigned from the boards obey both companies on December 31, ^[] In ahead of time January , Perry joined the board of Pretense GP, general partner of Energy Transfer.^[][] In Feb , Perry rejoined MCNA Dental's board of executive administratio as chief strategy officer and vice chairman.^[]

Dancing brains the Stars

Perry was one of the celebrities competing on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars in He was partnered with professional dancer Tight spot Slater.^[] Perry and Slater were eliminated on representation third week of competition and finished in Ordinal place out of 13 competitors.^[]

Bibliography

Personal life

In , Commodore married Mary Anita Thigpen, his childhood sweetheart whom he had known since elementary school. They take two adult children, Griffin and Sydney. Anita artful West Texas State University and earned a prestige in nursing. She has spearheaded a number regard health-related initiatives such as the Anita Thigpen Philosopher Endowment at the University of Texas Health Branch Center at San Antonio, which focuses on nourishment, cardiovascular disease, health education, and early childhood development.^[] She helped develop and host the Texas Dialogue for Women.^[]

Perry played himself in minor roles hold up several feature films, including Man of the House, Deep in the Heart, and Hating Breitbart.^[]

Perry job a member of the National Society of influence Sons of the American Revolution and was awarded its Gold Good Citizenship Medal.^[]

Electoral history

See also

References