Perdue, David A. (1949-…), served as a United States senator from 2015 to 2021. Perdue, a Republican, represented Georgia. Prior to his election to the Senate, Perdue had a long and successful career as a business executive.
David Alfred Perdue, Jr., was born in Macon, Georgia, on Dec. 10, 1949. He grew up in nearby Warner Robins. In 1972, Perdue earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. He earned a master’s degree in operations research from the university in 1975.
Following graduation, Perdue began a career as a management consultant. He later served as a high-level executive for a number of major companies, including Sara Lee, Haggar Clothing, Pillowtex, and Reebok. From 2003 to 2007, Perdue served as the chief executive officer of Dollar General Corporation. From 2007 to 2009, he served as a consultant for the Indian company Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd. In 2011, Perdue joined with his cousin—the former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue—to start Perdue Partners, a global trading firm.
David Perdue became involved in politics in 2013, after Senator Saxby Chambliss announced his intention not to stand for reelection in 2014. Perdue won the Republican primary contest for the Senate seat in a runoff primary in July 2014, and he won the general election that November. He promised to work to cut government spending and spur job growth. As a senator, Perdue served on the Agriculture, Armed Services, Banking, and Budget committees.
Perdue ran for reelection to the Senate in 2020. He received the most votes, but not a majority, in the November election and advanced to a runoff election against Democrat Jon Ossoff. Ossoff defeated Perdue in the January 2021 runoff. In 2022, Perdue campaigned to become Georgia governor but lost the Republican primary election in May.
