Press Releases

 

Quarles: Perdue confirmation is good for Kentucky

 

Former Georgia governor is first U.S. ag secretary from the South in decades

 

For Immediate Release
Monday, April 24, 2017
For more information contact:
Ted Sloan
(502) 782-0285

 

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The confirmation of former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue as U.S. agriculture secretary will strengthen Kentucky’s position on federal farm policy, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said today.

“Sonny Perdue is the first Southern ag secretary in more than 20 years,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Secretary Perdue will bring an agricultural perspective that is closely aligned with Kentucky’s interests. His extensive background in agriculture, business, and government make him an excellent choice to run a federal agency that affects millions of Americans.

“We have the Senate majority leader from Kentucky, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator who is a native of Kentucky, and the agriculture secretary who is a close neighbor. Kentucky should have a strong influence in Washington for years to come.”

The Senate confirmed Secretary Perdue as agriculture secretary today after President Trump nominated him in January.

Perdue, 70, is a businessman, veterinarian, and former Georgia state senator who served as governor of Georgia from 2003-2011.