Former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is President Donald Trump’s nominee for Agriculture Secretary. However, pending his review, it seems he is already making some of his friends comfortable in suitable public positions. The former governor has a long history of often mixing his business with politics.
A 2003 – 2011 examination of Perdue’s appointments when he was in governor show some placements to be frowned upon. In more than a dozen instances, Perdue offered job positions to his business associates and campaign donors. Other records show that he rewarded members of his staff when he was serving in the state office with positions in his agriculture and shipping empire once he left the office.
Despite the fact that Perdue has not yet had his confirmation hearing, he has already pulled strings to obtain one of his associates a job in the Trump administration. Heidi Green secured a job as an advisor for the USDA in January. She was Perdue’s business partner in his shipping empire and also worked for him in Georgia State’s government. Now, she is currently being mentioned as his likely Chief of Staff once he attains office.
Perdue is no stranger to ethical controversy. In the past, he has been in the limelight for unethical policies, with one of his most popular antics being signing a law to exempt himself from tax. He was also found to be on the wrong side of his state’s law when it was discovered he was using money from his funds for campaigns. Currently, he has not had a confirmation reasoning primarily because his past records of unethical behavior are still in the process of being reviewed. After weeks of delay, Perdue finally submitted his disclosure forms to the Senate, where he promised to put his assets into a blind trust.
The effects of this promise as a change from his previous actions remain unseen as we await his confirmation hearing and an announcement from the Senate. However, one thing’s for sure. The former governor will have to answer numerous questions as to how he plans to manage a $150 billion government agency that employs thousands throughout the country. Further, he is likely to be questioned on how some of his previous practices will affect his administration of the sector.
A spokeswoman for Perdue and Ms. Green regarding his appointment declined to comment on Perdue’s behalf. However, she provided a comment from Green who said that the former governor aimed to increase employment and consequently improve the country’s economy.
“The governor has spent most of his life in public service working to grow jobs and opportunities for people. Even in the private sector, this was the focus of his work. He is proud of what he accomplished in Georgia as governor and, if confirmed, he hopes to continue efforts to improve conditions in rural communities around the country,” the spokeswoman said on Ms. Green’s behalf.
Despite some of his unethical practices in his political career, Perdue’s chances of appointment are still high. He has the favor of the farm industry power brokers as well as Republicans in Congress. Additionally, he has the qualifications for the job.
