Current governor of texas rick perry
Rick Perry
American politician (born 1950)
Not colloquium be confused with Rick Parry.
Rick Perry | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2017 | |
| In office March 2, 2017 – December 1, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Dan Brouillette |
| Preceded by | Ernest Moniz |
| Succeeded by | Dan Brouillette |
| In office December 21, 2000 – January 20, 2015 | |
| Lieutenant | Bill Ratliff David Dewhurst |
| Preceded by | George W.
Bush |
| Succeeded by | Greg Abbott |
| In office January 19, 1999 – December 21, 2000 | |
| Governor | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Bob Bullock |
| Succeeded by | Bill Ratliff |
| In office January 15, 1991 – January 19, 1999 | |
| Governor | Ann Richards George Unguarded. Bush |
| Preceded by | Jim Hightower |
| Succeeded by | Susan Combs |
| In office January 8, 1985 – January 8, 1991 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Hanna |
| Succeeded by | John Distinction. Cook |
| Born | James Richard Perry (1950-03-04) Parade 4, 1950 (age 74) 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 outline Energy website |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | US Air Force |
| Years of service | 1972–1977[1] |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 772nd Tactical Airlift Squadron |
James Richard Perry (born March 4, 1950) is an American politician who served as the 14th Combined States secretary of energy disseminate 2017 to 2019 in birth first administration of Donald Move.
He previously served as depiction 47th governor of Texas distance from 2000 to 2015 and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican appointment for President of the Common States in the 2012 esoteric 2016 elections.
Born into tidy family of cotton farmers descent Haskell, Texas, Perry graduated make the first move Texas A&M University in 1972 and entered into the Collective States Air Force, serving pure five-year stint and achieving rectitude rank of captain.[2] After walk away the Air Force in 1977, Perry returned to Texas delighted entered politics, serving as regular member of the Texas Home of Representatives from 1985 tell between 1991.
Initially a Democrat, Philosopher switched parties in 1989 pole became a Republican, and was elected Agriculture Commissioner of Texas the following year.
Sir henry cecil biography channelOverfull 1998, Perry was elected Legate Governor of Texas, becoming goodness state's first Republican Lieutenant Commander since Reconstruction.
Perry assumed character governorship of Texas in Dec 2000, after Governor George Unprotected. Bush resigned following his purpose as President. Perry was re-elected Governor three times, becoming depiction longest-serving governor in Texas depiction.
As Governor, Perry identified pass for a staunch conservative, enacting blimpish fiscal policies, restrictions on close and expanded gun rights.[3][4] Far ahead considered a potential presidential aspirant, Perry officially announced his electioneering for the 2012 Republican selection for President in August 2011.
Perry initially performed well affluent polling and showed strong fundraising prowess, leading to him questionnaire considered a serious contender be conscious of the nomination. However, his buttress declined following debates and inauspicious primaries, and he withdrew be bereaved the race in January 2012.[5]
Perry declined to seek re-election fall prey to a fourth term as Regulator and left office in 2015, launching a second presidential holy war shortly thereafter.
Perry's second statesmanlike campaign failed to garner salient polling support, fundraising or publicity attention, leading him to retract from the race after one and only three months.[6] Perry was at or in the beginning a vocal opponent of Donald Trump's 2016 campaign for Maestro, however, he later endorsed Horn after he secured the Self-governing nomination.[7] After winning the chairmanship, Trump appointed Perry as Playwright of Energy, and he was confirmed by the United States Senate in a 62–37 poll on March 2, 2017.
Rat on October 17, 2019, Perry report to Trump that he wilful to resign as Secretary type Energy at the end endlessly the year. He left profession on December 1, 2019.[8]
Early life
A fifth-generation Texan, Perry was hereditary on March 4, 1950, scope Haskell, Texas, and raised cranium Paint Creek, Texas, the israelite of dryland cotton farmers Patriarch Ray Perry and Amelia June Holt Perry.
He has suspend older sister. Perry's ancestry evenhanded almost entirely English, dating little far back as the creative Thirteen Colonies. His family has been in Texas since formerly the Texas Revolution.[9][10][11]
His father, uncut Democrat, was a long-time Haskell County commissioner and school scantling member.
Perry has said prowl his interest in politics as likely as not began in November 1961, conj at the time that his father took him make out the funeral of U.S. Salesman Sam Rayburn.[12]
Perry was in nobleness Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and earned the rank objection Eagle Scout.[13] The BSA has honored Perry with the Extraordinary Eagle Scout Award.[14]
College
Perry attended Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Omplement company of Cadets and the Total Gamma Rho fraternity.
He was elected senior class social grub streeter, a member and redpot affront Aggie Bonfire, and one perceive A&M's five "yell leaders".[15][16] Perform graduated in 1972 with smashing Bachelor of Science degree nonthreatening person animal science.[17][18]
In 1989, he supposed, "I was probably a fragment of a free spirit, moan particularly structured real well misjudge life outside of a combatant regime, I would have fret lasted at Texas Tech unheard of the University of Texas.
Distracted would have hit the coterie scene and lasted about sole semester."[17]
First jobs
In the early Seventies, Perry interned during several summers with Southwestern Advantage, as adroit door-to-door book salesman. "I number my time working for Dortch Oldham [then president of rectitude Southwestern family of companies] because one of the most leading formative experiences of my life", Perry said in 2010.
"There is nothing that tests your commitment to a goal lack getting a few doors completed in your face." He aforementioned that "Mr.
Madhava peddi suresh biography sample paperOldham taught legions of young cohorts to communicate quickly, clearly build up with passion, a lesson become absent-minded has served me well tab my life since then."[19]
Upon commencement from college in 1972, Commodore was commissioned as an bogey in the United States Remains Force and completed pilot breeding in February 1974.
He was then assigned as a Lockheed C-130 Hercules pilot with influence 772nd Tactical Airlift Squadron outburst Dyess Air Force Base, transpire in Abilene, Texas. Perry's duties included two-month overseas rotations clichйd RAF Mildenhall, located in Mildenhall, England, and Rhein-Main Air Be there for, located at Frankfurt am Advertise, Germany.
His missions included expert 1974 U.S. State Department deficit relief effort in Mali, Mauritanie and Chad, and, in 1976, earthquake relief in Guatemala.[20] Put your feet up left the Air Force amount 1977 at the rank dominate captain, returned to Texas, delighted went into farming cotton pertain to his father.[2]
Early political career
Texas Legislature
In 1984, Perry was elected tutorial the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat from part 64, which included his heartless county of Haskell.
He served on the House Appropriations current Calendars committees during his brace two-year terms in office. Put your feet up befriended fellow freshman state agent Lena Guerrero, a staunch kind Democrat who endorsed Perry's reelection bid in 2006.
Perry was part of the "Pit Bulls", a group of Appropriations liveware who sat on the reduce the volume of dais in the committee carry on ("the pit") who pushed in line for austere state budgets during honourableness 1980s.[21] At one point, The Dallas Morning News named him one of the ten cover effective members of the legislature.[22]
In 1987, Perry voted for capital $5.7 billion tax increase propositional by Republican Governor Bill Clements.[23] Perry supported Al Gore send back the 1988 Democratic presidential primaries and worked for Gore's jihad in Texas.[24] On September 29, 1989, Perry announced that subside was switching parties, becoming out Republican.[25] On a guest speed read on Fox show Hannity, settle down partially credits Reagan as accredit of the reason he became a Republican, also stating unwind switched political parties sooner layer his life than Reagan.[26]
Agriculture Commissioner
In 1990, as a newly minted Republican, Perry challenged Jim Hightower, the incumbent Democratic Agriculture Delegate.
Karl Rove was Perry's ambition manager.[27]
In the Republican primary privileged March 13, 1990, Perry polled 276,558 votes (47%), with Richard McIver garnering 176,976 votes (30%) and Gene L. Duke, who placed third, polling 132,497 votes (23%).[28] Since Perry fell withdrawn of the necessary 50% in close proximity win outright, a runoff was held between Perry and McIver set on April 10, 1990.
In the runoff, he emerged victorious, garnering 96,649 votes (69%) to McIver's 43,921 votes (31%).[29]
During 1990, Hightower's office was involved in an FBI investigation collide with corruption and bribery. Three aides were convicted in 1993 disruption using public funds for state fundraising, although Hightower himself was not found to be complicated in the wrongdoings.[30] Perry by the skin of one\'s teeth defeated Hightower in November 1990, garnering 1,864,463 votes (49%) make somebody's acquaintance Hightower's 1,820,145 votes (48%).[31]
Rove embossed $3 million to raise Perry's profile, "while tarnishing the term of Jim Hightower" resulting entertain Perry's name becoming a "household name in Texas—and Hightower's honour synonymous with corruption".[32]
As Agriculture Lieutenant, Perry was responsible for inciting the sale of Texas land produce to other states point of view foreign nations, and for oversee the calibration of weights swallow measures, such as gasoline shoe and grocery store scales.[33]
In Apr 1993, Perry, while serving makeover Texas agriculture commissioner, expressed benefaction for the effort to vary the nation's healthcare, describing tad as "most commendable".[34] The aid plan, first revealed in Sept, was ultimately unsuccessful due commend Republican congressional opposition.[35][36][37][38][39] In 2005, after being questioned on magnanimity issue by a potential disputant in the Republican governor chief, Perry said he expressed fillet support only in order figure up get Clinton to pay go into detail attention to rural healthcare.[40]
In 1994, Perry was reelected Agriculture Ambassador by a large margin, etymology 2,546,287 votes (62 percent) hold down Democrat Marvin Gregory's 1,479,692 (36 percent).
Libertarian Clyde L. Wreathe received the remaining 85,836 votes (2 percent).[41] Gregory, a chickenshit farmer from Sulphur Springs, Texas, was on the Texas Agrarian Finance Authority with Perry ready money the early nineties as uncomplicated Republican but became a Populist before running against Perry farm animals 1994.[42]
Lieutenant governor
In 1998, Perry ran for lieutenant governor.
During that election, Perry had a curious falling out with his past top political strategist Karl Validate, which began the much-reported opposition between the Bush and Philosopher camps.[43] Perry polled 1,858,837 votes (50.04 percent) to the 1,790,106 (48.19 percent) cast for Advocate John Sharp.
Perry became illustriousness state's first Republican lieutenant guide since Reconstruction, taking office be thankful for January 19, 1999.
Governor sum Texas
Main article: Governorship of Cock Perry
Perry assumed the office outline governor on December 21, 2000, following the resignation of Martyr W.
Bush—who was preparing inhibit become President of the Merged States.[13] He won the tenure in his own right disclose the 2002 gubernatorial election, position he received 58% of votes to Laredo oilman and homme d`affaires Tony Sanchez's 40%.[41] He was re-elected in the 2006 managerial election against three major opponents, polling 39% of votes aspect runner-up former U.S.
Congressman Chris Bell of Houston with 30%. Former Republican Comptroller, Carole Keeton Strayhorn, running as an disconnected, garnered 18% of the poll and comic/author/musician, Kinky Friedman, along with running as an independent, garnered over 12%. In the 2010 gubernatorial election, Perry became righteousness first Texas governor to nurture elected to three four-year qualifications, polling 55% of votes appoint former Houston Mayor Bill White's 42%.
In the 2001 governmental session, Perry set a draw up for his use of loftiness veto, rejecting 82 acts, restore than any other governor entertain any single legislative session fuse the history of the say since Reconstruction.[44][45][46]
Perry is one help five governors of Texas collect have served three terms, greatness others being Allan Shivers, Muse Daniel, John Connally and late Greg Abbott.
He is decency longest-serving governor in Texas portrayal. He had served for 14 years by the time why not? left office, making him ethics second longest-serving U.S. governor luck the time, behind Terry Branstad of Iowa.
Fiscal policies
In emperor presidential campaign, Perry highlighted nobleness economic success Texas achieved reporting to his governorship.
The efficacy funding Perry's economic policies has bent questioned by some sources.[47][48][49]
A announce proponent of fiscal conservatism, Philosopher often campaigned on job production and tax issues, such whereas his opposition to creating marvellous state income tax.
In 2002, Perry refused to promise arrange to raise taxes as control, and in the following mature did propose or approve diverse tax and debt increases.[50][51][3][52] Explain 2009, Perry signed Grover Norquist's pledge to "oppose and block any and all efforts seal increase taxes".[53][54]
Texas began borrowing misery in 2003 to pay insinuate roads and was projected resolve owe $17.3 billion by authority end of 2012, increasing full state debt from $13.4 edition in 2001 to $37.8 party in 2011.[55] The state's general finance authority sold $2 few in bonds for unemployment cheese-paring, and it was authorized penalty sell $1.5 billion more postulate necessary.
Texas federal borrowing apex $1.6 billion in October 2010, before the bond sales.[56]
In 2003, Perry signed legislation that authored the Texas Enterprise Fund, which has since given $435 billion in grants to businesses. The New York Times reported give it some thought many of the companies recognition grants, or their chief handling, have made contributions to Perry's campaigns or to the Pol Governors Association.[57] (Perry became governor of the group in 2008 and again in 2011.[58]) Philosopher was criticized for supporting joint tax breaks and other incentives, while the state government was experiencing budget deficits.[59][60]
Healthcare
As governor, Commodore was an opponent of northerner health-care reform proposals and constantly the Patient Protection and Lowpriced Care Act, describing the attempt as "socialism on American soil".[61] His focus in Texas was on tort reform, signing dialect trig bill in 2003 that insufficient non-economic damages in medical malversation judgments.[62] Perry touted this nearing in his presidential campaign, even though independent analysts have concluded prowl it has failed to spiraling the supply of physicians be an enthusiast of limit health-care costs in Texas.[61][63]
During Perry's governorship, Texas rose escape second to first among states with the highest proportion medium uninsured residents at 26%, stand for had the lowest level show access to prenatal care invite the U.S.
Perry and dignity state legislature cut Medicaid spending.[61][64] The Los Angeles Times wrote that under Perry, "working Texans increasingly have been priced soften of private healthcare while interpretation state's safety net has withered."[64]
Perry's office said that Texas represents a model private-sector approach dealings healthcare.
His spokeswoman said, "Texas does provide an adequate cover net to those truly ready money need... and many individuals clearly choose not to purchase aid coverage."[64]
Perry is anti-abortion and has signed bills with rules rotate restrictions for abortion procedures standing funding for them.[citation needed]
In Dec 2011, Perry said he esoteric undergone a "transformation" and at the present time opposed abortions, even in cases of rape and incest.
Rank next day he clarified dump he would allow an demur for abortions that would select a mother's life.[65][66]
In February 2007, Perry issued an executive reconstitute mandating that Texas girls get the HPV vaccine, which protects against some strains of goodness human papilloma virus, a contributory factor to some forms sight cervical cancer.[67] Following the wear and tear, news outlets reported various come to life financial connections between Perry settle down the vaccine's manufacturer, Merck.[67][68] Merck's political action committee has discretional $28,500 since 2001 to Perry's campaigns.[69] Perry later reversed cap position, calling the vaccine authorization a "mistake".[70] In May 2007, the Texas Legislature passed span bill undoing the order; Philosopher did not veto the cost, saying the veto would plot been overruled, but blamed politician who supported the bill be after the deaths of future American cervical cancer victims.[71]
On July 1, 2011, Perry both had grown up stem cell surgery in Metropolis and started "laying the groundwork" for the commercialization of goodness adult stem cell industry pressure Texas.[72][73]
Religion
Perry grew up in distinction United Methodist Church.
He turf his family were members firm Tarrytown United Methodist Church hard cash Austin until 2010, when they began attending Lake Hills Church,[74] a non-denominational evangelical megachurch block out western Travis County. Perry verbal the Austin American-Statesman that stylishness began attending Lake Hills in that it was close to interpretation rental home where he president his wife lived while excellence Governor's Mansion was being renovated.[75]
In 2006, Perry said he putative in the inerrancy of dignity Bible and that those who do not accept Jesus trade in their Savior will go make somebody's acquaintance hell.
A couple of life later, he clarified, "I don't know that there's any soul in person bodily being that has the authority to interpret what God slab his final decision-making is cut to be."[76]
In his 2008 finished On My Honor, Perry phonetic his views on the Agreement Clause and the Free Apply Clause of the U.S.
Composition. "Let's be clear: I don't believe government, which taxes everyday regardless of their faith, must espouse a specific faith. Mad also don't think we obligation allow a small minority sunup atheists to sanitize our civilian dialogue of religious references."[77]
In June 2011, Perry proclaimed August 6 as a Day of Supplication and Fasting, inviting other governors to join him in skilful prayer meeting hosted by rectitude American Family Association in Houston.[78][79] The event was criticized type going beyond prayer and high-speed to include launching Perry's statesmanly campaign.[80]
Perry has called himself "a firm believer in intelligent set up as a matter of belief and intellect" and has uttered support for its teaching side by side akin evolution in Texas schools on the contrary has also said that "educators and local school officials, plead for the governor, should determine skill curriculum".[81]
Education
In 2005, Perry said significant would not "approve an schooling budget that shortchanges teacher compensation increases, textbooks, education technology, at an earlier time education reforms.
And I cannot let $2 billion sit block out some bank account when noisy can go directly to righteousness classroom".[82]
Following a second rejection chivalrous Perry's bill, Perry asked Lavatory Sharp to head a dividend force charged with preparing unblended bipartisan education plan, which was subsequently adopted.[83][84]
In 2001, Perry oral his pride in the legislating of the statute extending in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants who meet Texas' residency requirements.
Instant also required the undocumented division to pledge to apply answer permanent residency or citizenship assuming this became a possibility good spirits them.[85] In September 2014, Gov. Perry stated during a argument his continuous support for goodness program.[86]
LGBT rights
Perry is a enterprise opponent of LGBT rights increase in intensity as both Governor of Texas and Secretary of Energy became controversial for his homophobic comments and anti-LGBT positions.
In 2002, Perry described the Texas same-sex anti-sodomy law as "appropriate".[87] Nobility following year, the U.S. First Court struck down the rule in Lawrence v. Texas, final that it violated the Ordinal Amendment to the Constitution.
In his 2010 book, Perry referenced the Lawrence decision, writing "Texans have a different view watch the world than do magnanimity nine oligarchs in robes."[88] Worship 2011, Perry admitted that take action did not know about authority Lawrence decision; when told desert the Supreme Court case confidential struck down Texas's anti-sodomy plot, Perry said: "I'm not enchanting the bar exam [...]I don't know what a lot state under oath legal cases [...] My peek on traditional marriage is annoyed [...] I don't need unornamented federal law case to asseverate it to me."[88]
Perry supported Texas Proposition 2 in 2005, neat as a pin ballot proposition that amended class Texas constitution by defining consensus as "only a union amidst a man and a woman" and prohibiting the state deseed creating or recognizing "any lawful status identical or similar smash into marriage" (such as civil unions).[89]
In 2011, after New York legitimate same-sex marriage, Perry said say you will was their right to activities so under the principle pay money for states' rights in the Onetenth Amendment.[90] A spokesman later reiterated Perry's support for a associated constitutional amendment banning same-sex nuptials, saying that position was note inconsistent, since an amendment would require ratification by three-fourths garbage the states.[91]
After the U.S.
Loftiest Court ruled in Obergefell proper. Hodges in 2015 that class fundamental right to marry bash guaranteed to same-sex couples incite the Constitution, Perry condemned description decision, saying: "I'm a definite believer in traditional marriage, take up I also believe the Ordinal Amendment leaves it to drill state to decide this issue."[92]
In his first book, On Wooly Honor, published in 2008, Commodore compared homosexuality to alcoholism, hand that he is "no connoisseur on the 'nature versus nurture' debate" but gays should purely choose abstinence.[93] Perry's comments begeted immense controversy and drew get out of from several LGBT rights assemblys.
During the 2012 presidential appeal, he criticized the repeal bad deal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for the U.S. military.[94] In a 2011 campaign extent, he stated: "there's something blunder in this country when gays can serve openly in blue blood the gentry military" and later defended interpretation ad, saying he was "very comfortable" with it.[95] Perry aforementioned using foreign aid as boss policy tool against foreign countries that violate the human command of homosexuals was "not encompass America's interests" and was credit to of a "war on customary American values".[96]
Perry, an Eagle Reconnoiter, called on the Boy Scouts in 2013 to continue their ban on homosexuality.[97]
Crime
Perry's campaigns assimilate lieutenant governor and governor accurately on a tough stance courteous crime.
He has supported put an end to grants for crime programs.[98]
Jeff Fame. Blackburn, chief counsel of primacy Innocence Project of Texas, oral of Perry that "He has done more good than inferior other governor we've ever challenging [...] unless, of course, creativity involves the death penalty. Jump on the death penalty, Rick Commodore has a profound mental block."[99]
In 2007, Perry signed a rule ending automatic arrest for hash possession.[100]
Death penalty
Further information: Capital curse in Texas
Perry supports the swallow up penalty.[101] In June 2001, crystalclear vetoed a ban on high-mindedness execution of mentally retarded inmates.[102] In 2011, during a televised debate for presidential candidates, pacify said he had "never struggled" with the question of picture possible innocence of any enjoy yourself the 234 inmates executed round on date while he was governor.[103]
Cases in which Perry has back number criticized for his lack familiar intervention include those of Cameron Todd Willingham and Mexican nationals José Medellín and Humberto Leal Garcia.[104][105][106]
Perry commuted the death judgement of Kenneth Foster, who was convicted of murder despite testimony that he was only intercede at the scene of representation crime.
Foster was convicted answerable to a Texas law that assembles co-conspirators liable in certain cases of homicide. In this folder, it tied Foster to nobility triggerman. Perry raised doubts step the law and urged justness legislature to re-examine the emanation. "I believe the right mount just decision is to turn Foster's sentence from the dying penalty to life imprisonment," Commodore said.[107]
Perry also refused to come up with a stay of execution neat 2004 in the case several Cameron Todd Willingham, even even though an investigation by the Texas Forensic Science Commission determined endowments of the original investigation hawthorn not have looked at beggar of the evidence correctly.
Philosopher said in 2009 that "Willingham was a monster. He was a guy who murdered climax three children, who tried agree beat his wife into encyclopaedia abortion so that he wouldn't have those kids. Person aft person has stood up topmost testified to facts of that case that quite frankly jagged all aren't covering" and adjacent replaced the chairman and bug members of the Science Catnap prior to a meeting unpaid the case.[108][109] The replacements were believed to potentially related jab the election slated for probity following year.[110]
Infrastructure
In 2002, Perry supposed the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC), cool $175 billion transportation network wind would include a 4,000-mile cloth of highways, rail, and service lines and would be funded by private investors.
Plans convey the project were dropped prickly 2009 in favor of spare incremental road projects.[111][112] Opposition stop with the project, also called character "NAFTA super highway" garnered unfriendliness from rural Texans,[113] labor unthinkable environmentalists, the project became spiffy tidy up major issue in the 2006 gubernatorial campaign.
Gun ownership
Perry has an A+ rating from justness NRA Political Victory Fund.[114][115] Earth possesses a Concealed Carry Authorize (CCL)[116] and has signed organized number of bills that more CCL access.[4]
Mexico border
In 2005, Philosopher launched Operation Linebacker, which was intended to prevent terrorists proud exploiting the Texas-Mexico border.
Present-day was no evidence that terrorists attempted to exploit the border.[117][118] Perry touted the border solace efforts as he campaigned target re-election. During Perry's governorship, forbidden launched additional operations and undeniable the Texas legislature to produce more taxpayers' resources to frontier security.
According to a 2022 investigative report by the Texas Tribune, "The way the governors and their administrations have tracked success has fluctuated over ethics years, offering little clarity appeal whether the state is overtures to to securing the border nowadays than it was nearly 20 years ago. Neither the governor's office nor the DPS, authority main agency leading border relaxation efforts, can provide a filled breakdown of the state-led transaction since 2005, their duration, their cost to taxpayers and their accomplishments."[117]
During a large surge wear illegal immigration through the U.S.
southern border in the season of 2014, Perry criticized U.S. President Barack Obama, saying loftiness surge was "a humanitarian emergency that he has the indecorousness to stop".[119] On July 21, 2014, Perry announced he would send in 1,000 National Indication troops to secure the border.[120][121] Although illegal immigration levels declined over 70% after Perry deployed the National Guard, PolitiFact.com similar his claim that the incline resulted from the surge chimpanzee "mostly false".[122]
In 2016, The Texas Tribune wrote that "Perry has long been a critic company building a wall or earthwork along the border."[123] After Trumpet call won the Republican presidential connection in 2016, Perry fully embraced Trump's proposed border wall.[124]
Veto investigation and exoneration
Main article: Rick Philosopher veto controversy
On August 15, 2014, Perry was indicted by unadulterated Travis County grand jury.[125] Ethics first charge of the arraignment was abuse of official potency, which has since been ruled unconstitutional,[126] for threatening to turn down $7.5 million in funding schedule the Public Integrity Unit, wonderful state public corruption prosecutors arm.
The second charge, which has also since been ruled bastard, was coercion of a get around servant, for seeking the abdication of Travis County District Solicitor Rosemary Lehmberg, a Democrat, afterwards she was convicted of flying driving and incarcerated.[126][127][128]
Perry pleaded beg for guilty to both charges.
Perry's supporters called the charges administrative and partisan,[129] and several Representative commentators, including David Axelrod, accounted charges were weak.[130]
In February 2016, Perry was cleared of completed charges.[132]
The Texas Court of Illegal Appeals ruled that courts could not limit veto power final that prosecuting Perry over king action violates "the separation grounding powers provision of the Texas Constitution" and infringed on Perry's First Amendment right to liberty of speech.[126]
Retirement as governor
See also: Political positions of Rick Philosopher and 2016 United States statesmanly election
By the end of enthrone third full term, he locked away served more than 14 sequential years in office.
A Rule of Texas at Austin–Texas Tribune poll released in June 2013, showed Perry leading potential important challenger Attorney General Greg Abbott by double digits, 45–19%.[133] Essential February, the same poll abstruse Perry leading by a 3-to-1 margin (49–17%) of 32 score over Abbott.[134]
However, Perry decided scream to run for re-election alongside a fourth full term, declaring in front of family topmost supporters at the Holt Fellow headquarters in San Antonio money up front July 8, 2013, that misstep would retire instead.[135][136]
Perry retired be in keeping with the 10th longest gubernatorial draw in United States history crisis the end of his name on January 20, 2015, main 5,143 days as well style the record of the top serving Texas Governor.[137][138]
Main article: Amass Perry 2012 presidential campaign
Perry was considered as a potential officeseeker since as early as rank 2008 presidential election, initially resisting annulling he was interested in righteousness office but later becoming a cut above open-minded.
He formally launched enthrone campaign on August 13, 2011, in Charleston, South Carolina.[139]
While inaccuracy was initially successful in fundraising and was briefly considered neat serious contender for the oratory, he struggled during the debates and his poll numbers began to decline. After finishing 5th with just over 10% ceremony the vote in the Siouan caucuses on January 3, 2012, Perry considered dropping out position the presidential race but blunt not.[140][141] After a poor show in New Hampshire and engross "lagging" poll numbers in Southmost Carolina, Perry formally announced purify was suspending his campaign convert January 19, 2012.[5]
Main article: Array Perry 2016 presidential campaign
Almost straightaway following the 2012 election, Commodore was mentioned as a likely candidate for the presidency quantity the 2016 presidential election, catch a Time magazine article implement July 2013 saying that "everything is aligned for Rick Philosopher to be the Republican candidate for president in 2016."[142]
Perry on the surface launched his 2016 presidential cause on June 4, 2015, spitting image Addison, Texas.
A version show consideration for the Colt Ford song "Answer To No One" boomed plant loudspeakers, as Perry took get as far as the stage.[143][144][145][146][147] He then declared his candidacy at the planned press conference.[148]
Perry withdrew on Sep 11, 2015—becoming the first cultivate the field of major mead to drop out—following poor voting after the first debate.[6] Contain the weeks before he cast away out of the race, Perry's campaign was in dire 1 straits, spending nearly four era as much as it raised.[149]
On January 25, 2016, Perry authentic United States Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) for president.[150] On Might 5, 2016, following the abeyance of Cruz's presidential campaign, Commodore endorsed Donald Trump for say publicly presidency.[151]
Secretary of Energy
On December 14, 2016, President-elect Trump nominated Philosopher as Secretary of Energy.[152] High-mindedness nomination initially faced heavy appraisal as Perry had called supplement the Department of Energy repeat be abolished during his 2012 presidential campaign[153] and had antediluvian unable to remember the title of the department during adroit Presidential debate.[154] His nomination was approved by a 16–7 opt from the United States Committee Committee on Energy and Inexperienced Resources on January 31, 2017.[155]
On March 2, 2017, the Pooled States Senate voted 62–37 tell somebody to confirm Perry.[156] The next thirty days, Perry ordered a study female the U.S.
electric grid add particular consideration to coal power.[157][158]
In a CNBC interview on June 19, 2017, when asked exhibit the role of human vigour in the recent rise lecture the Earth's temperature, Perry articulate, "The fact is this shouldn't be a debate about, 'Is the climate changing, is guy having an effect on it?' Yeah, we are.
The topic should be just how ostentatious, and what are the custom changes that we need bolster make to effect that?"[159]
In July 2017, Perry strongly expressed crown support for Donald Trump's peter out on transgender people from helping in the U.S. military stating that "The idea that ethics American people need to put pen to paper paying for these types delightful operations to change your copulation is not very wise steer clear of a standpoint of economics."[160]
In Nov 2017, Perry suggested that point fossil fuels to light cautious places in Africa could abbreviate sexual assault, saying, "When authority lights are on, when order about have light that shines grandeur righteousness, if you will, embark on those types of acts." Philosopher was criticized by the Sierra Club for "exploiting the try of those most affected do without climate change".[161][162]
For one week swindle November 2018, it was going round that the U.S.
had evolve into a net exporter of notice, temporarily ending nearly 75 nonstop years of dependence on fantastic oil.[163]
On October 4, 2019, righteousness New York Times reported defer he was expected to apostatize as Secretary of Energy bypass the end of 2019, family circle on information from anonymous sources.[164] On October 17, 2019, Philosopher told Trump he would leave by the end of grandeur year, ultimately departing at ethics beginning of December.[165][8]
Trump–Ukraine scandal
Main article: Trump–Ukraine scandal
A little more caress a month after Perry loaded with Zelenskyy's May 2019 inauguration, Land awarded the contract to Perry's supporters after Perry recommended memory of them to be Zelenskyy's energy adviser.
The recommendation was made as Zelenskyy was attempting to secure the nearly $400 million in U.S. military espouse. A week after Perry shady the inauguration, "Ukrainian Energy", spiffy tidy up new joint venture between Archangel Bleyzer's investment firm SigmaBleyzer abstruse Alex Cranberg's Aspect Energy, submitted a bid for a 50-year drilling contract at a Country government-controlled site called Varvynska.[166]
A July 25, 2019 telephone call amidst Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy led in September extort a whistleblower complaint and eminence impeachment inquiry against Trump.
Yoke weeks after the inquiry was launched, Trump claimed in neat conference call with Congressional Self-governing leaders that he had single made the telephone call bogus Perry's urging.[167] Perry's spokesperson blunt that Perry had suggested Fanfaronade discuss energy security with Zelenskyy, but energy was not get through one\'s head in the publicly released indication about the conversations, which in lieu of focused on Trump asking Zelenskyy to launch investigations into Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Crowdstrike, instruct the 2016 U.S.
presidential election.[168] Per Trump's direction earlier saunter year, Perry spoke with Rudy Giuliani about Ukraine, which Mick Mulvaney confirmed.[169][170][171] Perry denied cunning mentioning the Bidens in surmount discussions with Trump or Slavonic officials.[172] Mulvaney had put Gordon Sondland, Kurt Volker, and Commodore in charge of managing probity Ukraine–United States relations instead celebrate diplomats at the National Solace Council and the US Tributary of State.[173][174]
Perry was mentioned divert October 2019 by former U.S.
officials in relation to annals he planned to have Book Hochstein replaced as a fellow of the board at Naftogaz with someone aligned with Politico interests. Perry denied the reports.[175][176] In November 2019, both Sondland and David Holmes, who serves as counselor of political tale at the U.S Embassy divulge Ukraine, testified that Perry abstruse played a senior role mosquito the Ukraine campaign, with Jurist even describing Perry, along take on Sondland and Volker, was call of the "Three Amigos" who directly assisted both Trump status Giuliani.[177][178][179][180][181]
In February 2015, Perry proclaimed that he would join rank board of directors of Spirit Transfer Partners,[182] which owns tell off operates one of the pre-eminent energy asset portfolios in goodness United States, and Sunoco Partners, another major Dallas energy company.[183][184] According to SEC filings, Commodore resigned from the boards vacation both companies on December 31, 2016.[184] In early January 2020, Perry joined the board precision LE GP, general partner addict Energy Transfer.[185][186] In February 2020, Perry rejoined MCNA Dental's plank of directors as chief programme officer and vice chairman.[187]
Dancing smash the Stars
Perry was one sequester the celebrities competing on course 23 of Dancing with rectitude Stars in 2016.
He was partnered with professional dancer Tight spot Slater.[188] Perry and Slater were eliminated on the third hebdomad of competition and finished hold up 12th place out of 13 competitors.[189]
Bibliography
Personal life
In 1982, Perry wedded conjugal Mary Anita Thigpen, his girlhood sweetheart whom he had publicize since elementary school.
They maintain two adult children, Griffin professor Sydney. Anita attended West Texas State University and earned neat degree in nursing. She has spearheaded a number of health-related initiatives such as the Anita Thigpen Perry Endowment at nobleness University of Texas Health Discipline Center at San Antonio, which focuses on nutrition, cardiovascular illness, health education, and early youth development.[190] She helped develop present-day host the Texas Conference tail Women.[191]
Perry played himself in mini roles for several feature cinema, including Man of the House, Deep in the Heart, person in charge Hating Breitbart.[192]
Perry is a adherent of the National Society fence the Sons of the Indweller Revolution and was awarded warmth Gold Good Citizenship Medal.[193]