Sonny Perdue under consideration to lead Georgia's higher ed system

Former Gov. Sonny Perdue is under serious consideration to lead Georgia’s higher education system, one of the most powerful and influential jobs in state government, five people with direct knowledge of the search told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Republican has not yet formally applied to lead the University System of Georgia, which oversees the state’s public colleges and universities, and officials say the national search will be an open and transparent process. Still, people involved in the search who spoke on condition of anonymity acknowledge the former two-term governor is a strong contender.

Perdue, 74, declined to comment through an aide. He recently finished a stint as President Donald Trump’s agriculture secretary, often referring to the sprawling government agency and its roughly $140 billion-a-year budget as a business. He was one of the few Cabinet secretaries and top aides who remained in their jobs throughout Trump’s term in the White House.

Perdue and his political network, among the most powerful in the state, have close ties to Gov. Brian Kemp, who has broad influence over the chancellor post and also declined to comment.

Read more: https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/sonny-perdue-under-consideration-to-lead-georgias-higher-ed-system/2I6E6D4EKBGUNFA5BTBYJBBJJE/