David Perdue

David Perdue was born in Macon, Georgia, the son of David Alfred Perdue Sr., and the former Gervaise Wynn, both schoolteachers.{{cite web|url=http://perduesenate.com/2014/10/24/perdue-campaign-releases-new-tv-ad-georgia-values/|title=Perdue Campaign Releases New TV Ad: "Georgia Values"|date=October 24, 2014|publisher=Perdue Senate|access-date=November 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024231438/https://perduesenate.com/2014/10/24/perdue-campaign-releases-new-tv-ad-georgia-values/|archive-date=October 24, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Bluestein|first1=Greg|date=August 8, 2013|title=David Perdue's business background looms large in Senate run|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/david-perdue-business-background-looms-large-senate-run/aMH3HE1K54j5XFpTg09t3I/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126122542/https://www.ajc.com/news/david-perdue-business-background-looms-large-senate-run/aMH3HE1K54j5XFpTg09t3I/ |archive-date=2020-11-26 |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2020}}{{Cite book | isbn = 9780961347406 | title = James A. Perdue and descendants, 1822–1984 | last1 = Wynn-Perdue | first1 = Gervaise | year = 1984 | publisher = G. Wynn-Perdue | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=PY9JAAAAMAAJ}} His father, a Democrat, was the elected superintendent of schools for Houston County, Georgia, from 1961 to 1980, where he oversaw the desegregation of the school system.{{Cite web|title=A Giant in Houseton Co. Public Schools |newspaper=Houston Home Journal |location=Perry, Houston County, Ga. |date=December 4, 1980 |url=https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053614/1980-12-04/ed-1/seq-1/ |access-date=June 17, 2020|via=gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu}}

Perdue was raised in Warner Robins, Georgia, and graduated from Northside High School in 1968,{{cite news|last1=Hohmann|first1=James|title=Georgia Republican Senate runoff: 5 things to watch|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/georgia-republican-senate-runoff-2014-109193 |access-date=August 21, 2014|website=Politico|date=July 22, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=George|first1=Tom|title=David Perdue announces Senate bid in Warner Robins|url=http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/local/2014/02/03/david-perdue-running-for-senate/5193465/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140821212240/http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/local/2014/02/03/david-perdue-running-for-senate/5193465/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 21, 2014|access-date=August 21, 2014|website=WMAZ|date=March 2, 2014}} where he was an excellent student, a varsity athlete, and class president.{{Cite news|last1=Saul|first1=Stephanie|last2=Fausset|first2=Richard|last3=LaForgia|first3=Michael|date=2021-01-01|title=Before Embracing America-First Agenda, David Perdue Was an Outsourcing Expert|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/us/politics/david-perdue-georgia-senate.html|access-date=2021-01-01|issn=0362-4331}} He went to college for one year at the United States Air Force Academy starting in June 1968, after receiving an appointment from Congressman Jack Brinkley of Georgia, but dropped out after earning low grades. In 1969 Perdue wrote to Congressman Brinkley that he wanted to quit the Air Force Academy writing, "I have made a mistake and I do not want this type of career."{{cite news |last1=Saul |first1=Stephanie |last2=Fausset |first2=Richard |last3=LaForgia |first3=Michael |title=Before Embracing America-First Agenda, David Perdue Was an Outsourcing Expert |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/us/politics/david-perdue-georgia-senate.html |access-date=2022-05-24 |work=New York Times |date=2021-01-01}}{{Cite web|newspaper=Houston Home Journal |location=Perry, Houston County, Ga. |date=June 27, 1968 |title=Four Robins Students Named to AF Academy |url=https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053614/1968-06-27/ed-1/seq-4/ |access-date=June 17, 2020|via=gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu}}

Perdue later transferred to Georgia Tech, where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering in 1972, and a master's degree in operations research in 1975.{{cite news|date=July 12, 2014|title=Republican David Perdue's life at a glance|agency=Associated Press|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/republican-david-perdues-life-glance|url-status=dead|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727213632/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/republican-david-perdues-life-glance|archive-date=July 27, 2014}}{{cite web|title=David Perdue's Biography|url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/151330/david-perdue |publisher=Project Vote Smart|access-date=August 21, 2014}}

Perdue is the first cousin of former governor of Georgia and former U.S. secretary of agriculture Sonny Perdue by their grandfather George Ervin Perdue Sr.{{cite news|last=Ball|first=Molly|date=May 21, 2014|title=Meet David Perdue—He Might Be Georgia's Next Senator|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/05/meet-david-perdue-he-might-be-georgias-next-senator/371308/|newspaper=The Atlantic|access-date=June 19, 2014}} As such, Perdue is not related to any descendent of the family that founded and operates Perdue Farms.

Perdue began his career in 1972 at Kurt Salmon Associates, an international consulting firm, where he worked for 12 years as a management consultant,{{cite web|title=Dollar General Corporation Names David A. Perdue, Jr. CEO|url=http://investor.shareholder.com/dollar/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=166964|publisher=Dollar General|access-date=August 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016025226/http://investor.shareholder.com/dollar/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=166964|archive-date=October 16, 2014|url-status=dead}} leaving in 1984. From 1991 to 1992, Perdue was a managing director at international clothing company Gitano Group Inc. in Singapore.{{cite news |last=Kranish |first=Michael |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/perdue-outsourcing-trump/2020/12/30/29242e28-4084-11eb-a402-fba110db3b42_story.html |title=Sen. David Perdue became wealthy outsourcing work to Asia. Now the former CEO stands with Trump, who wants to 'end our reliance on China.' |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 30, 2020 |access-date=December 31, 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/17/business/company-news-gitano-group-to-plead-guilty-to-customs-fraud.html |title=Gitano Group to Plead Guilty to Customs Fraud |work=Reuters via The New York Times |date=December 17, 1993 |access-date=December 31, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Strom |first=Stephanie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/02/business/company-news-gitano-files-for-bankruptcy-after-accord-on-sale.html |title=Gitano Files for Bankruptcy After Accord on Sale |work=The New York Times |date=March 2, 1994 |access-date=December 31, 2020}} In 1992, Perdue took a position as senior vice president of Asia operations for Sara Lee Corporation. During his tenure, Perdue was involved in sourcing suppliers in China and Hong Kong while the company closed dozens of plants in the U.S., four of them in Georgia. Two years later, Perdue became senior vice president of operations at Haggar Clothing,{{cite news|last1=Cassidy |first1=Christina |title=Perdue touts business record in Georgia Senate bid |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/perdue-touts-business-record-georgia-senate-bid |access-date=August 21, 2014 |agency=Associated Press |date=July 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916071200/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/perdue-touts-business-record-georgia-senate-bid |archive-date=September 16, 2014 }} increasing international production in lower-cost countries to 75 percent of the company's operations.

In 1998, Perdue joined Reebok as a senior vice president, eventually rising to president and CEO of the Reebok Brand.{{Cite web|date=March 27, 2002|title=Form 10-K405 - Annual report|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/770949/000091205702011726/a2073450z10-k405.htm#page_dc1518_1_17|access-date=September 15, 2020|website=www.sec.gov}} He is credited with rejuvenating its sneaker line. Perdue negotiated a contract with the National Football League that a former Reebok executive called "revolutionary" for repositioning the company's shoe brand.

Perdue left Reebok in June 2002 to become the CEO of PillowTex, a North Carolina textile company.{{Cite web|date=June 13, 2002|title=USA: Martin Coles New CEO, President Of Reebok Brand|url=https://www.just-style.com/news/martin-coles-new-ceo-president-of-reebok-brand_id86480.aspx|access-date=September 15, 2020|website=www.just-style.com}} The company had recently emerged from bankruptcy with a heavy debt load and an underfunded pension liability. Unable to obtain additional funding from the company's investors or find a buyer for the company, he left the company in 2003 after nine months on the job and $1.7 million in compensation. An internal auditor noted that Perdue's long absences from its North Carolina Headquarters was "terrible for morale. We felt he'd given up."{{Cite news|last=Bell|first=Adam|date=July 20, 2004|title=The leaders who lost Pillowtex: Marketing whiz found company worse off than he expected|work=Charlotte Observer|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article9141770.html}} In July 2003, Pillowtex announced it would go out of business,{{Cite web|date=July 30, 2003|title=Pillowtex Files for Bankruptcy Protection|url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/pillowtex-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-10104888|access-date=2021-01-03|website=TheStreet|language=en-us}} leaving 7,650 workers out of work nationwide.{{cite news|first=Adam |last=Bell |title=Long-dead Pillowtex reborn as unlikely issue in U.S. Senate race in Georgia|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9142346.html |publisher=Charlotte Observer|date=July 21, 2014|access-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817090433/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9142346.html |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |url-status=live }}

After leaving Pillowtex, Perdue became CEO of Dollar General.{{Cite press release |url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-corporation-names-david-a-perdue-jr-ceo.htm|title=Dollar General Corporation Names David A. Perdue, Jr. CEO | Dollar General Newsroom|website=newscenter.dollargeneral.com}} Before he joined the company, it had recently overstated profits by $100 million and paid $162 million to settle shareholder lawsuits. Perdue overhauled the company's inventory line and logistics network and updated its marketing strategy. After initially closing hundreds of stores, the company doubled its stock price and opened 2,600 new stores. During his four years as CEO, almost 2,500 individual employment cases were filed in federal court against the company, compared to 76 in the prior four years.{{Cite web|last=Jessica|first=Goodheart|date=2020-12-30|title=David Perdue's Dollar General was sued 2,500 times for sex, race, wage practices|url=https://www.newsweek.com/david-perdues-dollar-general-was-sued-2500-times-sex-race-wage-practices-1558184|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231014831/https://www.newsweek.com/david-perdues-dollar-general-was-sued-2500-times-sex-race-wage-practices-1558184 |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |access-date=2021-01-06|website=Newsweek|language=en}}

Perdue is credited for arranging the sale of Dollar General in 2007 to private equity investors KKR. In 2007 and 2008, he received $42 million in compensation from Dollar General.{{Cite web|last=Malloy|first=Daniel|date=May 3, 2014|title=David Perdue earned $55 million over 10 years, tax returns show|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/david-perdue-earned-million-over-years-tax-returns-show/MQTBCyQyau7l69cklmee7L/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127030559/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/david-perdue-earned-million-over-years-tax-returns-show/MQTBCyQyau7l69cklmee7L/ |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |access-date=2021-01-06|website=ajc|language=English}} After the sale to KKR, Dollar General faced shareholder lawsuits alleging that Perdue and other executives undersold shareholders;{{Cite web|last=Jackson|first=Daniel|date=2020-11-30|title=Before Stock Trades, Georgia Senator Faced Scrutiny Over Dollar General Sale|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/before-stock-trades-georgia-senator-faced-scrutiny-over-dollar-general-sale/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130213628/https://www.courthousenews.com/before-stock-trades-georgia-senator-faced-scrutiny-over-dollar-general-sale/ |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=2021-01-06|website=Courthouse News Service|language=en-US}} it paid $40 million to settle those lawsuits.{{Cite web|first=Shannon |last=McCaffrey |date=May 5, 2014 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|title=David Perdue's business record mixed|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/david-perdue-business-record-mixed/OqSkOGrbF33n6MmOCWqKZM/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217015645/https://www.ajc.com/news/david-perdue-business-record-mixed/OqSkOGrbF33n6MmOCWqKZM/ |archive-date=2020-12-17 |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Jackson|first=Daniel|date=2021-01-01|title=Court Documents Reveal Senator Purdue's Comments on His Time as Dollar General CEO|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/court-documents-reveal-senator-purdues-comments-on-his-time-as-dollar-general-ceo/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101014359/https://www.courthousenews.com/court-documents-reveal-senator-purdues-comments-on-his-time-as-dollar-general-ceo/ |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |access-date=2021-01-06|website=Courthouse News Service|language=en-US}}

From 2007 to 2009, Perdue worked as a senior consultant for Indian chemical and textile conglomerate Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/220551-perdue-cut-work-in-india-from-bio |date=October 13, 2014|title=Perdue cut work in India from bio|author=Cameron Joseph|access-date=October 13, 2014}} In July 2010, his cousin, then-governor Sonny Perdue, appointed him as a director of the Georgia Ports Authority.{{Cite web|last=Beasley|first=David|date=July 9, 2010|title=Gov. Perdue Names New Ports Authority Board Members|url=https://www.globalatlanta.com/gov-perdue-names-new-ports-authority-board-members/|access-date=May 25, 2020|website=Global Atlanta|language=en-US}} In April 2011, he started Perdue Partners, an Atlanta-based global trading firm, with his cousin, whose term had ended in January 2011, and two former state officials.{{cite web|date=April 18, 2011|title=Governor Sonny Perdue Launches Perdue Partners, LLC|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110418006352/en/Governor-Sonny-Perdue-Launches-Perdue-Partners-LLC |work=Businesswire.com|access-date=March 1, 2017}}

In December 2012, Perdue Partners acquired Benton Express, an Atlanta-based logistics company,{{Cite web|title=Perdue Partners Acquires Benton Express|url=https://www.ttnews.com/articles/perdue-partners-acquires-benton-express|last=Topics|first=Transport|date=December 10, 2012|website=Transport Topics|language=en|access-date=May 25, 2020}} and renamed it Benton Global. In February 2013, Benton Global began hauling cargo directly from the port, rather than contracting out for trucking services.{{Cite news|title=Perdue's trucking business overlapped with ports tenure|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/perdue-trucking-business-overlapped-with-ports-tenure/UZo0IRPqhr40tiLXt5wRbO/|first=Shannon|last=McCaffrey|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|date=July 10, 2014|access-date=May 25, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524074019/https://www.ajc.com/news/perdue-trucking-business-overlapped-with-ports-tenure/UZo0IRPqhr40tiLXt5wRbO/ |archive-date=2020-05-24 }} Perdue left the ports board in mid-2013. Benton Global closed abruptly in 2015.

From 2010 to 2014, Perdue served on the board of directors of the data marketing firm Cardlytics. He acquired 75,000 shares in compensation for his board service. When Cardlytics became publicly owned, Perdue made $6 million from the shares.{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Tia |title=David Perdue stock arrangement draws scrutiny |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/david-perdue-stock-arrangement-draws-scrutiny/50YvSP6lzh4y98hxIftGpI/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518152139/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/david-perdue-stock-arrangement-draws-scrutiny/50YvSP6lzh4y98hxIftGpI/ |archive-date=2020-05-18 |url-status=live |access-date=November 23, 2020 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=May 13, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Slodysko |first1=Brian |last2=Lardner |first2=Richard |title=Ga. Sen. Perdue boosts wealth with well-timed stock trades |url=https://apnews.com/article/senator-david-perdue-georgia-stocks-198e39c67f90e25bb6b2398bd32c1363 |access-date=November 26, 2020 |work=Associated Press |date=November 26, 2020}}

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has described Perdue as having a "mixed" business record, but says that he was "known on Wall Street as a turnaround specialist who helps revive brands and reap rewards for investors." Most of his jobs involved outsourcing jobs overseas, and he said in a deposition, "I spent most of my career doing that."{{Cite web|last1=Raju|first1=Manu|last2=Bresnahan|first2=John|date=October 3, 2014|title=Perdue: 'I spent most of my career' outsourcing|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/10/david-perdue-georgia-senate-race-2014-111589|access-date=2021-01-03|website=POLITICO|language=en}}

File:Neil Gorsuch and David Perdue.jpg in 2017]]

File:Brett Kavanaugh and David Perdue.jpg in 2018]]

File:Amy Coney Barrett and David Perdue.jpg in 2020 in the Mansfield room in the Senate]]

{{main|2014 United States Senate election in Georgia}}

Perdue touted his business experience, and particularly his experience at Dollar General, in running for political office as a Republican candidate. According to Perdue, "We added about 2,200 stores, created almost 20,000 jobs and doubled the value of that company in a very short period of time. Not because of me, but because we listened to our customers and employees." He was endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business.{{cite news|first=Chris |last=Joyner |title=Perdue 'proud' of outsourcing past, blames Washington for jobs lost|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/perdue-proud-of-outsourcing-past-blames-washington/nhcsk/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101021605/http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/perdue-proud-of-outsourcing-past-blames-washington/nhcsk/ |archive-date=2015-01-01 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=October 6, 2014|access-date=October 10, 2014}}

Perdue's political opponents targeted his business career during the campaign, specifically for outsourcing work offshore. He said he was "proud of" finding lower-cost labor for some companies. Critics noted that he had contributed to a total of thousands of jobs lost following the final closure of Pillowtex, while Perdue left the company after nine months with a nearly $2 million buyout.

Perdue's campaign paid a $30,000 fine due to violations in fundraising reports from the 2014 election. The penalty came after an FEC auditor found the 2014 campaign received at least $117,000 in prohibited contributions and more than $325,000 that exceeded legal limits on campaign donations.{{Cite web|date=April 19, 2019|title=Georgia Sen. Perdue's campaign fined $30,000 for violations|url=https://apnews.com/article/b9b8248adeea4777a8dabb1f6a92d127|access-date=November 10, 2020|work=AP News}} Perdue's campaign had raised nearly $14 million, setting records for funds raised in a Georgia Senate election.{{Cite web|last=Malloy|first=Daniel|title=Spending on Georgia's U.S. Senate race smashed records in 2014|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/spending-georgia-senate-race-smashed-records-2014/B8ql1h0iURATD1wSpuwE7H/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130002500/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/spending-georgia-senate-race-smashed-records-2014/B8ql1h0iURATD1wSpuwE7H/ |archive-date=2020-11-30 |url-status=live |date=September 24, 2016|access-date=November 10, 2020|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en}}

The race was considered competitive. Perdue defeated Democratic nominee Michelle Nunn 52.89% to 45.21%.{{cite web |title=David Perdue |url=http://ballotpedia.org/David_Perdue#2014_2 |publisher=Ballotpedia |date=2016 |access-date=June 12, 2016}}

In June 2016, at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority conference, Perdue said, "We should pray for Barack Obama. But I think we need to be very specific about how we pray. We should pray like Psalms 109:8 says. It says, 'Let his days be few, and let another have his office'".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2016/06/10/gop-senator-jokes-about-obama-s-death|title=GOP Senator Jokes About Praying for Obama's Death|first=Betsy|last=Swan|date=June 10, 2016|website=The Daily Beast}} In a statement, Perdue's office clarified: "He in no way wishes harm to our president and everyone in the room understood that".{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/06/david-perdue-obama/486587/|title=Senator's Prayer for Obama: 'Let His Days Be Few'|first=David E.|last=Graham|website=The Atlantic|date=July 10, 2016}}

On October 13, 2018, Perdue visited the Georgia Tech campus to campaign for gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp. During his visit, a Georgia Tech student approached Perdue and asked him a question about voter suppression. Perdue snatched away the student's phone, which was recording the exchange.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/14/senator-snatched-students-phone-while-being-asked-about-georgia-voter-registration-uproar/ |title=Senator Snatched Student's Phone While Being Asked About Georgia Voter Registration Uproar |last=Wang |first=Amy B. |date=October 14, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Citation|title=Senator snatches phone after this question |website=CNN Video|date=October 15, 2018 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/10/14/david-perdue-snatch-phone-voter-suppression-sot-nr-vpx.cnn |access-date=November 20, 2020}} The student filed civil suit, alleging unlawful battery.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/22/politics/georgia-tech-student-lawsuit-cell-phone-senator-perdue/index.html |date=2018-10-22 |title=Georgia Tech student sues Sen. Perdue after cell phone flap|first=Kate |last=Sullivan |website=CNN}}

Perdue became Georgia's senior senator after Johnny Isakson resigned on December 31, 2019.

With a net worth of $15.8 million, as calculated by Roll Call based on financial disclosures, Perdue was one of the wealthiest members of the Senate {{As of|2018|February|lc=y}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.rollcall.com/wealth-of-congress |title=Ranking the Net Worth of the 115th |work=rollcall.com|access-date=August 5, 2019}}

In 2019, Perdue wrote Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin a letter expressing concern that owners of professional sports teams could not take advantage of certain tax breaks. Sports team owners and their family members have donated over $425,000 to Perdue's political campaigns. Perdue requested Mnuchin change the regulation to benefit the owners, but Mnuchin made no change. Perdue's 2020 campaign attributed the request to Perdue's history of having a leadership position in a sportswear company such as Reebok.{{Cite web|last=Elliott|first=Robert Faturechi, Justin|title=Georgia Senator David Perdue Privately Pushed for a Tax Break for Rich Sports Teamowners|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/georgia-senator-david-perdue-privately-pushed-for-a-tax-break-for-rich-sports-teamowners?token=WXm9z79e0T7-hUjzwsfdbQxryFu6WxDL|access-date=November 20, 2020|date=November 20, 2020|website=ProPublica|language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Schrade |first1=Brad |title=Reports say Perdue sought to boost campaign donors and company in which he purchased stock |url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/election/reports-say-perdue-sought-to-boost-campaign-donors-and-company-in-which-he-purchased-stock/DOTVHMOQVNGYNLSGJ7XRCV4SW4/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220071017/https://www.ajc.com/politics/election/reports-say-perdue-sought-to-boost-campaign-donors-and-company-in-which-he-purchased-stock/DOTVHMOQVNGYNLSGJ7XRCV4SW4/ |archive-date=2020-12-20 |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2020 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=November 21, 2020}}

In 2019, Perdue sold his Washington house for $1.8 million to a governor of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which the Senate Banking Committee that Perdue sits on oversees and FINRA lobbies. According to one agent, the sale was about $140,000 above market price.{{Cite web|last=Faturechi|first=Robert|title=Sen. David Perdue Sold His Home to a Finance Industry Official Whose Organization Was Lobbying the Senate|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/sen-david-perdue-sold-his-home-to-a-finance-industry-official-whose-organization-was-lobbying-the-senate |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=2020-12-10|website=ProPublica|language=en}} The buyer disputed the agent's claim that Perdue received an "above market price" with an appraisal that determined that Perdue actually sold for slightly under market value. Also, a fifth expert stated that the price Perdue received was "squarely fair market value". And finally, Perdue used a real estate agent and had no interaction with the FIRA official, does not know the individual, and has never spoken to the individual.

{{Further|2020 congressional insider trading scandal}}

During his time in office, Perdue was the Senate's most prolific trader of stocks, funds or shares, making almost one third of all trades among members, roughly equivalent to the combined sum of trades conducted by the second- to sixth-most active traders in the Senate. Many trades were in companies with interests in the committees Perdue sat on, including banks, cybersecurity firms, and defense firms.{{Cite news|last1=Saul|first1=Stephanie|last2=Kelly|first2=Kate|last3=LaForgia|first3=Michael|date=December 2, 2020|title=2,596 Trades in One Term: Inside Senator Perdue's Stock Portfolio|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/us/politics/david-perdue-stock-trades.html|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201203185558/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/us/politics/david-perdue-stock-trades.html|archive-date=December 3, 2020|access-date=December 3, 2020|url-status=live}} For example, as part of the Senate Banking Committee, he regularly traded in stock of the Regions Financial bank in 2017 and early 2018. During that period, Perdue co-sponsored a Senate bill that would reduce financial regulations on medium-sized banks such as Regions. His proposed deregulations became law in May 2018, and Region's stock had risen by 35% since Perdue bought its shares. Perdue's office maintains that all of his stock trading activities were conducted independently through his broker.

In January and February 2016, Perdue invested in Halyard stocks shortly before and after the Senate first held a hearing on the opioid epidemic in the United States. Halyard sold medical devices that could assist in providing alternatives to opioids. The stock was worth up to $150,000. Perdue sold the stock around seven months later, profiting between 33% and 54%.{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Doug |title=Sen. David Perdue's stock trades net thousands during early part of opioid crisis |url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/perdue-opioids/85-11651d59-3303-4128-8d77-67e1d9cf10d2 |access-date=December 4, 2020 |work=11Alive |date=December 3, 2020}} Perdue reiterated that his broker operated independently from him.

In February 2017, Perdue attempted to remove regulations the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had imposed on the prepaid debit card industry. The regulations were not removed, but they were scaled down, with Perdue taking credit in May 2017 for having solicited "significant concessions".{{cite news |last1=Brodey |first1=Sam |title=Sen. David Perdue Says His Perfectly Timed Stock Trades Are Completely Innocent |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/sen-david-perdue-says-his-perfectly-timed-stock-trades-are-completely-innocent |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=The Daily Beast |date=September 12, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Hayashi |first1=Yuka |title=GOP Runs Out of Time to Kill CFPB's Prepaid-Card Rule |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-runs-out-of-time-to-kill-cfpbs-prepaid-card-rule-1494455990 |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=The Wall Street Journal |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170511050540/https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-runs-out-of-time-to-kill-cfpbs-prepaid-card-rule-1494455990 |archive-date=May 11, 2017 |date=May 10, 2017 |url-status=live }} From June 2017 to April 2019, he actively invested in card processor First Data, which held major interests and power in the prepaid debit card industry.{{cite news |last1=Kilgore |first1=Ed |title=David Perdue Hit With More Allegations of Shady Stock Transactions |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/11/perdue-hit-with-more-allegations-of-shady-stock-transactions.html |access-date=November 24, 2020 |work=New York |date=November 19, 2020}} The Daily Beast reported that Perdue's transactions of First Data stocks "coincided with both policy announcements affecting the company and a major merger that sent its stock price soaring." Perdue's office said that the transactions were done by his financial advisers, and that they operated independently from him. His office also denied that he knew of the merger before it happened.

Shortly before becoming chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower in January 2019, with jurisdiction over the Navy, Perdue bought $190,000 of stock in BWX Technologies, which builds nuclear power components for submarines. Later, Perdue secured almost $5 billion in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act to build Virginia-class nuclear submarines built with BWX parts. He profited between $15,000 and $50,000 (according to his financial filings) when he sold the shares while writing the bill. His office reiterated that he was not personally involved in the stock-trading decisions.{{Cite news|last=Brodey|first=Sam|date=November 19, 2020|title=Sen. Perdue Helped Defense Contractor—and Sold Off Its Stock|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/sen-david-perdue-helped-defense-contractor-and-sold-off-its-stock|access-date=November 19, 2020}}{{Cite news|last1=Saul|first1=Stephanie|last2=Newman|first2=Andy|date=November 19, 2020|title=David Perdue profited from a Navy contractor's stock while overseeing the Naval fleet.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/us/david-perdue-stock-georgia-senate.html|access-date=November 20, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}

On January 23, 2020, Perdue directed his financial advisers to sell over $1 million in stock of the finance firm Cardlytics weeks before its shares fell significantly. Two days before the sale, Cardlytics's CEO sent Perdue an email mentioning "upcoming changes", then later said he had sent the email to the wrong person. The Department of Justice investigated this incident, and concluded that Perdue had not engaged in insider trading.{{cite news |last1=Benner |first1=Katie |last2=Goldman |first2=Adam |last3=Fandos |first3=Nicholas |last4=Kelly |first4=Kate |title=Stock Trades by Senator Perdue Said to Have Prompted Justice Dept. Inquiry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/25/us/politics/david-perdue-cardlytics.html |access-date=November 26, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201125212054/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/25/us/politics/david-perdue-cardlytics.html |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |url-status=live }} After Cardlytics' shares fell, he bought between $200,000 and $500,000 of their shares in March; these shares more than quadrupled their value by November 2020.

On January 24, 2020, Perdue bought around $65,000 of stock in DuPont, a company that makes personal protective equipment, on the same day as a private Senate briefing on the spread of COVID-19.{{Cite news |first=Tia|last=Mitchell|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/david-perdue-stock-trading-saw-uptick-coronavirus-took-hold/MRWmzwXeHgxi6IcmBbPgaN/ |title=David Perdue's stock trading saw an uptick as coronavirus took hold |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=April 7, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407175333/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/david-perdue-stock-trading-saw-uptick-coronavirus-took-hold/MRWmzwXeHgxi6IcmBbPgaN/ |archive-date=April 7, 2020}}{{Cite magazine |first=Sonam|last=Sheth|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-david-perdue-bought-stock-company-producing-ppe-after-briefing-2020-4 |title=Sen. David Perdue bought stock in a company that produces protective medical equipment the same day senators received a classified briefing on the coronavirus |magazine=Business Insider|date=April 7, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407175432/https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-david-perdue-bought-stock-company-producing-ppe-after-briefing-2020-4 |archive-date=April 7, 2020}} Over the next few months, he bought and sold around $5.8 million and $5.6 million worth of stocks, respectively.{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Tia |title=U.S. Sen. David Perdue says his advisers won't trade individual stocks |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/sen-david-perdue-says-his-advisers-won-trade-individual-stocks/TEnGHcfx3c1CDXaSJoh8dK/ |access-date=July 31, 2020 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220070926/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/sen-david-perdue-says-his-advisers-won-trade-individual-stocks/TEnGHcfx3c1CDXaSJoh8dK/ |archive-date=2020-12-20 |url-status=live }} Perdue bought up to $245,000 in stocks of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, and sold up to $165,000 in stocks of the casino Caesars Entertainment, which closed its doors during the pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Tia |title=Loeffler among senators whose stock trading during coronavirus raises questions |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/perdue-loeffler-among-senators-whose-stock-trading-during-coronavirus-raises-questions/YjEYsWqAVwZh52HTpl1EpL/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220070741/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/perdue-loeffler-among-senators-whose-stock-trading-during-coronavirus-raises-questions/YjEYsWqAVwZh52HTpl1EpL/ |archive-date=2020-12-20 |url-status=live |access-date=November 22, 2020 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 24, 2020}} His stock-trading activity sharply increased in March 2020. In May 2020, after his portfolio was scrutinized, Perdue announced that his financial advisers would no longer buy and sell individual stocks. He was criticized for his stock-trading during the coronavirus pandemic, with allegations of insider trading. Perdue has said advisers made the trades without his influence.

Perdue has asserted that the Senate Ethics Committee investigated the incident and in June 2020 privately concluded that it "did not find evidence that [Perdue's] actions violated federal law, Senate Rules, or standards of conduct".{{cite news |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=In new ad, Perdue accuses Ossoff of 'lying' about his stock trades |url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/in-new-ad-perdue-accuses-ossoff-of-lying-about-his-stock-trades/R6R5QFXT7RAGTPSRRS764QTUOM/ |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210152739/https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/in-new-ad-perdue-accuses-ossoff-of-lying-about-his-stock-trades/R6R5QFXT7RAGTPSRRS764QTUOM/ |archive-date=2020-12-10 |url-status=live |date=September 17, 2020}} But as of December 2020, the Ethics Committee has not disclosed such an investigation.

In late March 2020, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Perdue urged the public to "follow the advice of public health officials: stay home if you are sick; wash your hands frequently with soap and water; keep a safe distance from others. If you are experiencing symptoms, call your health care provider right away."{{cite web |last1=Farley |first1=Robert |title=Opening Ads in the Perdue-Ossoff Runoff |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2020/11/opening-ads-in-the-perdue-ossoff-runoff/ |access-date=November 22, 2020 |work=FactCheck.org |date=November 19, 2020}} In May, June and July 2020, he called for Americans to wear masks to manage the outbreak. With regard to pandemic's effects, Perdue has assisted small businesses by joining the Paycheck Protection Program.

In May 2020, Perdue argued that the United States "had ordinary flu seasons with more deaths" than the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. At the time, there were over 80,000 deaths due to COVID-19 in the country, while the average deaths for flu over the previous 10 years was under 40,000 deaths per year, with 61,000 deaths in 2017–2018. As predicted by medical experts, COVID-19 is much deadlier than the flu, as the death toll in the United States rose above 240,000 within the year.

Also in May 2020, when medical experts criticized Georgia for ending lockdowns too early, Perdue declared support for the end of the lockdown: "We've got to get this economy open again. We're on the back side of the cycle." Georgia experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases in July and August 2020.

Perdue has praised Trump's response to the pandemic.{{Cite web|first1=Manu|last1=Raju|first2=Alex|last2=Rogers|title=Senate GOP candidates attacked Obama over Ebola but defend Trump on coronavirus pandemic|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/27/politics/republican-reaction-obama-handling-ebola/index.html|date=July 28, 2020|access-date=September 10, 2020|website=CNN}} Asked why he criticized Obama for his response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014 (with four cases and two deaths in the country) but praised Trump's response to the coronavirus in 2020, he said, "It's a totally different situation." In September 2020, after the release of recordings from February and March in which Trump admitted he intentionally downplayed the severity of the coronavirus threat, Perdue said Trump was "trying to manage the psyche of the country" and to "look at what he did."{{Cite web|first1=Manu|last1=Raju|first2=Alex|last2=Rogers|title=Vulnerable Republicans avoid criticizing Trump after admission to Woodward about downplaying virus|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/10/politics/gop-senators-woodward-book-reaction/index.html |date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=September 10, 2020|website=CNN}}

File:David Perdue, Official Portrait, 114th Congress.jpg

{{main|2020–21 United States Senate election in Georgia}}

Perdue ran for reelection to the U.S. Senate in the 2020 election.{{cite news |last1=Hallerman |first1=Tamar |last2=Bluestein |first2=Greg |title=Inside David Perdue's 2020 race for another U.S. Senate term |url=https://www.myajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/inside-david-perdue-2020-race-for-another-senate-term/pTFQ5GdliIK0ljaIu8j5qN/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118011305/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/inside-david-perdue-2020-race-for-another-senate-term/pTFQ5GdliIK0ljaIu8j5qN/ |archive-date=2020-11-18 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=December 2, 2018 |access-date=February 12, 2020}} During the campaign, he repeatedly made false claims that his Democratic opponent, Jon Ossoff, is "endorsed" by the Communist Party of the United States.{{cite news |last1=Kessler |first1=Glenn |title=GOP senator falsely claims opponent was endorsed by Communist Party |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/10/06/gop-senator-falsely-claims-his-opponent-was-endorsed-by-communist-party/ |access-date=November 22, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201122091051/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/10/06/gop-senator-falsely-claims-his-opponent-was-endorsed-by-communist-party/ |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |url-status=live }} Perdue also ran an ad in which Ossoff's nose was enlarged; the apparent use of an anti-Semitic trope was criticized as a dog-whistle reference to Ossoff's Jewish heritage.{{Cite web|last=Arkin|first=James|title=Ossoff condemns Perdue campaign for 'offensive,' 'anti-Semitic' digital ad|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/28/jon-ossoff-david-perdue-anti-semitic-ad-384386|date=July 28, 2020|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=Politico|language=en}}{{cite news|last=Greenwood|first=Max|date=July 28, 2020|title=Anti-Semitism charges roil David Perdue's reelection bid as polls tighten|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/509422-anti-semitism-charges-roil-david-perdues-reelection-bid-as-polls-tighten|access-date=July 28, 2020}}{{cite news|first=Joseph|last=Wilkinson|date=July 28, 2020|title=Georgia senator enlarges nose of Jewish opponent in campaign ad, takes it down after being called out|newspaper=New York Daily News|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-georgia-senate-david-perdue-jon-ossoff-big-nose-ad-20200728-h5dz244iyfg5zor6udg75fj5ra-story.html}} The ad featured Ossoff's image next to that of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who is also Jewish, and said Democrats are trying to "buy Georgia," with a link to raise funds for Perdue's campaign. His campaign pulled the ad after receiving criticism, saying it was an "inadvertent error" and that his design firm had applied a filter that distorted the image.

In October 2020, Perdue mocked Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris by repeatedly mispronouncing her name during a campaign event. Perdue called Harris "Kah-mah-la or Kah-ma-la or Kamamboamamla". Some commentators{{who|date=December 2020}} noted that Perdue, who had been serving with Harris in the Senate since 2017, undoubtedly knows how to pronounce her name, and some{{vague|date=December 2020}} said he deliberately pretended otherwise to appeal to a largely white audience.{{cite web|last1=Politi|first1=Daniel|title=Sen. Perdue Mocks Kamala Harris' Name at Trump Rally|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/10/david-perdue-mocks-kamala-harris-name-trump-rally.html|access-date=October 17, 2020|website=Slate|date=October 17, 2020}}{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Republican senator faces backlash after mocking colleague Kamala Harris' name|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-10-16/senator-perdue-backlash-butchering-kamala-harris-name|date=October 16, 2020|access-date=October 17, 2020|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web|last1=Danner|first1=Chas|title=GOP Senator David Perdue Deliberately Butchers 'Kamala' at Georgia Trump Rally|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/senator-perdue-deliberately-butchers-kamala-at-trump-rally.html|date=October 16, 2018|access-date=October 17, 2020|website=New York}} A spokesman for Perdue responded to the criticism, saying "Senator Perdue simply mispronounced Senator Harris's name, and he didn't mean anything by it."{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/16/georgia-sen-perdue-faces-criticism-after-mocking-kamala-harris-name/3686517001/|title=Georgia GOP Sen. Perdue faces criticism after 'mockingly' mispronouncing Kamala Harris' name|first=Savannah|last=Behrmann|newspaper=USA Today|date=October 16, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-perdue-republican-senator-criticized-for-repeatedly-mispronouncing-kamala-harris-name-at-rally/ |first=McKay |last=Bolden |title=Republican senator repeatedly mispronounces Kamala Harris' name at Trump rally |website=CBS News|date=October 17, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/16/politics/david-perdue-kamala-harris/index.html|title=Georgia Republican senator willfully mispronounces Kamala Harris' name at Trump rally|first1=Donald |last1=Judd |first2=Ryan |last2=Nobles |website=CNN|date=October 16, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/16/david-perdue-mocks-kamala-harris-name-429996|title=David Perdue mocks Kamala Harris' name in Trump rally warm-up|first=Matthew|last=Choi|website=Politico |date=October 16, 2020}}

During an October 28 debate, Ossoff accused Perdue of "downplaying the threat of the coronavirus pandemic" while simultaneously "buying stocks in health care companies and selling shares in travel-related industries". The Hill noted that video of the exchange was viewed nearly 10 million times in the following day.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/523500-georgia-senator-to-skip-debate-after-democratic-rival-goes-viral|title=Georgia senator to skip debate after Democratic rival goes viral|first=Ian|last=Swanson|date=October 29, 2020|newspaper=The Hill}} Perdue boycotted the final debate against Ossoff.{{Cite web|first1=Veronica|last1=Stracqualursi|first2=Keith|last2=Allen|first3=Caroline|last3=Kelly|title=Perdue says he won't attend final Georgia Senate debate, after heated clash at previous meetup with Ossoff|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/29/politics/georgia-senate-debate-ossoff-perdue/index.html|website=CNN|date=October 29, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020}}

No candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the November 3 election, resulting in a January 2021 runoff between Perdue and Ossoff. After failing to get more than 50% of the vote in the November election, Perdue claimed without evidence that there had been "failures" in the election, and called for Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger's resignation. Raffensperger is a Republican for whom Perdue campaigned in the 2018 Georgia secretary of state race. In December 2020, Perdue supported a lawsuit by Trump allies seeking to overturn the election results. On December 6, Perdue was absent from the Georgia Senate runoff debate against Ossoff, leaving Ossoff to debate an empty podium.{{Cite news|last=Murphy|first=Patricia|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|title=Jon Ossoff debates empty podium|url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/jon-ossoff-debates-empty-podium/GWJQ5Y62DBFVTKZPNK7NDSRJRM/ |date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209204137/https://www.ajc.com/politics/jon-ossoff-debates-empty-podium/GWJQ5Y62DBFVTKZPNK7NDSRJRM/ |archive-date=2020-12-09 |url-status=live |access-date=December 7, 2020|language=en}} In January 2021, after an audio recording captured Trump pressuring Raffensperger to overturn Georgia's presidential election results and "find" enough votes for him to win, Perdue responded by criticizing Raffensperger for recording the conversation, while Perdue downplayed the significance of Trump pressuring Raffensperger.{{Cite web|last=Niedzwiadek|first=Nick|title='Disgusting': Perdue hammers Georgia secretary of state for recording Trump call|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/04/perdue-hammers-ga-sec-state-recording-trump-call-454496|access-date=2021-01-04|website=POLITICO|date=January 4, 2021 |language=en}}

On November 13, Perdue attended a packed campaign event in Cumming, Georgia, alongside senators Rick Scott and Kelly Loeffler, both of whom later tested positive for COVID-19.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rick-scott-covid-19-positive/ |title=Florida Senator Rick Scott tests positive for coronavirus |work=CBS News |first=Sophie |last=Lewis |date=November 20, 2020 |access-date=November 25, 2020 }} On November 20, Perdue and Loeffler held a campaign event with Vice President Mike Pence in Canton, Georgia.{{cite web |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?478205-1/vice-president-pence-campaigns-senators-david-perdue-kelly-loeffler-canton-georgia |title=Campaign 2020: Vice President Pence Remarks at Campaign Rally for Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler |date=November 20, 2020 |website=C-SPAN |access-date=December 21, 2020 }}

As of the start of December 2020, outside groups had spent $84.2 million supporting Perdue in the election, compared to $44.4 million supporting Ossoff.{{cite news |last1=Farley |first1=Robert |title=A Misleading Dark Money Attack on Ossoff |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2020/12/a-misleading-dark-money-attack-on-ossoff/ |access-date=December 4, 2020 |work=FactCheck.org |date=December 1, 2020}} On December 31, Perdue and his wife announced they were quarantining after being exposed to the virus. Both tested negative the day before, and they said they were unsure how long the quarantine would last.{{cite news |last1=Shepard |first1=Steven |title=Perdue to quarantine days before Georgia runoff after close Covid contact |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/31/perdue-quarantine-covid-contact-453139 |access-date=December 31, 2020 |work=POLITICO |date=December 31, 2020 |language=en}} On January 1, 2021, Perdue absented himself from the override of Trump's veto of the defense spending bill.[https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/perdue-loeffler-absent-from-senate-vote-to-override-trump-veto-of-defense-bill/OCTXLLUGCZD3RGYNAZGHN54WC4/ Perdue, Loeffler absent from Senate vote to override Trump veto of defense bill], The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 1, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2012.

Perdue's term expired on January 3, 2021, leaving the seat vacant pending the runoff's outcome.{{Cite web|title=Last days in Georgia runoffs that will decide Senate control|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/days-georgia-runoffs-decide-senate-control-75023897|access-date=2021-01-03|website=ABC News|language=en}} On January 5, Perdue lost the runoff and Ossoff was declared the winner.{{Cite web|title=David Perdue|url=https://ballotpedia.org/David_Perdue|access-date=2021-01-06|website=Ballotpedia|language=en}} Perdue initially seemed reluctant to accept the outcome with his campaign sending out a message saying that once every legal vote was counted Perdue would win.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Perduesenate/status/1346718678868516865|title=Statement from our campaign|work=Twitter|author=David Perdue}} However, Perdue did later acknowledge his defeat and concede to Ossoff, two days after the election.{{Cite web|last=Greenwood|first=Max|date=2021-01-08|title=Perdue concedes to Ossoff in Georgia|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/533394-perdue-concedes-to-ossoff-in-georgia|access-date=2021-01-10|website=TheHill|language=en}}

In February 2021, Perdue filed paperwork to run against incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock in the 2022 election.{{Cite web|title=FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1499961|url=https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/S4GA11285/1499961|access-date=2021-02-15|website=docquery.fec.gov}} However, a few days later, he declined to enter the race.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrdw.com/2021/02/23/david-perdue-wont-be-running-for-senate-after-all/|title = David Perdue won't be running for Senate, after all| date=February 23, 2021 }}

{{further|2022 Georgia gubernatorial election}}

Recruited and endorsed by former president Donald Trump, Perdue officially announced his challenge against Brian Kemp in the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election Republican primary on December 6, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Caputo |first1=Marc |title=Trump-backed former Sen. David Perdue will announce primary bid against Georgia governor this week |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/05/perdue-georgia-governor-kemp-primary-523772 |website=POLITICO |date=December 5, 2021 |access-date=5 December 2021 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Fausset |first1=Richard |last2=Martin |first2=Jonathan |title=Ex-Senator David Perdue to Run for Governor of Georgia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/05/us/david-perdue-georgia-governor.html |website=The New York Times |date=5 December 2021}} That same month, Perdue said he would not have certified the 2020 elections if he had been governor at the time, and he filed a lawsuit that recycled false claims of fraud about the 2020 election.{{Cite news|date=2021|title=Trump-backed Perdue says he wouldn't have certified Georgia 2020 results|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/david-perdue-georgia-2020-election-certification-56e54cd2-c0c1-41e8-a44e-f582335243da.html|access-date=}}{{Cite web|last=Fowler|first=Stephen|title=David Perdue files election lawsuit with recycled, already-disproven claims of fraud|url=https://www.gpb.org/news/2021/12/10/david-perdue-files-election-lawsuit-recycled-already-disproven-claims-of-fraud|access-date=2021-12-10|website=Georgia Public Broadcasting|date=December 10, 2021 |language=en}} He also pledged to create a new separate police unit for investigating electoral fraud and electoral crimes and to abolish the state income tax.{{Cite news|last1=Bluestein|first1=Greg|last2=Niesse|first2=Mark|date=January 20, 2022|title=Perdue calls for new election police unit in Georgia|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|url=https://www.ajc.com//politics/politics-blog/perdue-calls-for-special-election-police-unit-in-georgia/PY7Y7QDMUBBMVGPO2DHUNTF2ZA/|url-status=live|access-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121054942/https://www.ajc.com//politics/politics-blog/perdue-calls-for-special-election-police-unit-in-georgia/PY7Y7QDMUBBMVGPO2DHUNTF2ZA/|archive-date=January 21, 2022}} He faced criticism from Governor Kemp around his prior history of outsourcing jobs in the companies he has run.{{Cite web|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|title=Kemp counters Perdue's pro-Trump message with more Trump|url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/kemp-counters-perdues-pro-trump-message-with-more-trump/4BRHOROHRJE5HJWQF4Y6XFRB34/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)|language=English}} Perdue lost the May 24 primary election to incumbent governor Kemp in a landslide, being defeated by over a 3–1 margin.{{cite news |last=Bunch |first=Riley |date=May 24, 2022 |title=Kemp stomps Trump-backed David Perdue in Georgia governor primary |url=https://www.gpb.org/news/2022/05/24/kemp-stomps-trump-backed-david-perdue-in-georgia-governor-primary |publisher=Georgia Public Broadcasting |accessdate=July 25, 2024}}

File:President Donald Trump participates in the swearing-in ceremony for U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue (54506144681).jpg

In December 2024, then-President-elect Donald Trump named Perdue as his nominee for United States ambassador to China.{{cite web|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-president-elect-donald-j-trump-announcing-the-nomination-david-perdue-ambassador|title=Statement by President-elect Donald J. Trump Announcing the Nomination of David Perdue as Ambassador to the People's Republic of China|newspaper=The American Presidency Project|date=December 5, 2024|access-date=May 1, 2025}} His hearing was held at the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on April 3, 2025. During the hearing, Perdue stated the "two countries will naturally have areas of disagreement" and "we should seek areas where our interests align to develop a better and safer working relationship."{{cite web|url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/nominations-04-03-2025|title=Nomination Hearing|publisher=United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|date=April 3, 2025|access-date=May 1, 2025}} On April 29, 2025, the United States Senate confirmed him with a vote of 67 to 29.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp0d937y9o|first=Bernd Jr|last=Debusmann |title=Senate backs China critic Perdue as ambassador|publisher=BBC|date=April 30, 2025|access-date=May 1, 2025}} On May 7, 2025, he was sworn in as an ambassador by President Donald Trump at a ceremony held in the Oval Office.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/07/trump-china-trade-david-perdue.html|title=Trump’s ambassador to China sworn in ahead of high-stakes talks in Switzerland|first=Erin|last=Doherty|newspaper=NBC News|date=2025-05-07|access-date=2025-05-11}} On May 15, 2025, he arrived in China to take up his position{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/new-us-ambassador-former-senator-business-executive-david-121826181|title=New US ambassador, former senator and executive David Perdue, arrives in China|newspaper=ABC News|date=2025-05-15|access-date=2025-05-16}} and on the following day, he presented his credentials to the Director-General of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Hong Lei.{{cite web|url=https://www.guancha.cn/internation/2025_05_16_776114.shtml|title=外交部部长助理兼礼宾司司长洪磊接受美国新任驻华大使递交国书副本|trans-title=Assistant Foreign Minister and Director of the Protocol Department Hong Lei accepts the copy of the credentials presented by the new US Ambassador to China|newspaper=Guancha|date=2025-05-16|access-date=2025-05-17}}

Perdue rejects the scientific consensus on climate change.{{Cite news|last1=Bluestein|first1=Greg|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |title=State agency's warning on climate change spurs action, skepticism|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/state-agency-warning-climate-change-spurs-action-skepticism/QlwmU0F3QsAmXzILqQbR5J/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224183705/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/state-agency-warning-climate-change-spurs-action-skepticism/QlwmU0F3QsAmXzILqQbR5J/ |date=August 8, 2015 |access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=December 24, 2019|language=en}} He had criticized the Environmental Protection Agency and supported Trump's appointment of Scott Pruitt as EPA administrator, saying in 2017, "Outside of eliminating the EPA altogether, Scott Pruitt is the next best thing."{{cite news|first=Jamie|last=Dupree|author-link=Jamie Dupree|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/blog/jamie-dupree/senate-approves-pruitt-for-epa-democrats-delay-other-trump-picks/sD8Qfo41sAWD95RPWA3wLL/|title=Senate approves Pruitt for EPA as Democrats delay other Trump picks|newspaper=Springfield News-Sun|date=February 17, 2017}} Perdue was one of 22 Republican senators to sign a letter to Trump urging him to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.{{cite web |last1=Inhofe |first1=James |date=May 25, 2017 |title=Paris Letter |work=inhofe.senate.gov |url=https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Paris%20letter.pdf |access-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122113948/https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Paris%20letter.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/01/republican-senators-paris-climate-deal-energy-donations|access-date=June 1, 2017|work=The Guardian|date=June 1, 2017|title=The Republicans who urged Trump to pull out of Paris deal are big oil darlings|first1=Tom|last1=McCarthy|first2=Lauren|last2=Gambino}} As of 2020, Perdue lives in a private beachfront community that is building sea walls to combat sea level rise, a known effect of climate change.{{cite news |title=Senator David Perdue lives in elite beachfront community that is reinforcing for sea-level rise – while voting against climate crisis action |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/david-perdue-georgia-run-off-senate-climate-change-b1722099.html |access-date=November 21, 2020 |work=The Independent |agency=Associated Press |date=November 13, 2020}}

File:President Donald J. Trump, Senator Tom Cotton, and Senator David Perdue, August 2, 2017 (36182228582).jpg and President Donald Trump.]]

Perdue was a close ally of President Trump during his tenure in the Senate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/03/trump-tariffs-republicans-congress-hatch-687911|title='I'd like to kill 'em': GOP takes on Trump tariffs|first=Burgess|last=Everett|work=Politico|date=July 3, 2018|access-date=July 3, 2018|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/18/senate-rejects-trumps-rescue-of-chinese-firm-zte-652459|title=Senate rejects Trump's rescue of Chinese firm ZTE|first=John|last=Hendel|work=Politico|date=June 18, 2018|access-date=June 18, 2018|language=en}} Some of Perdue's only public criticism of Trump centered on tariffs. Perdue was initially reluctant to support Trump's proposed tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum, but came to support them.{{cite news |last1=Hallerman |first1=Tamar |title=David Perdue warms to Trump's trade strategy |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/david-perdue-warms-trump-trade-strategy/Rim8J0vQ4oW7XRFM6k6JxL/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127091456/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/david-perdue-warms-trump-trade-strategy/Rim8J0vQ4oW7XRFM6k6JxL/ |archive-date=2020-11-27 |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2020 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=October 10, 2019}}

On January 11, 2018, Perdue attended a meeting at the White House at which, according to some participants, Trump purportedly referred to Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as "shithole nations" and remarked the United States should not take additional immigrants from them.{{cite news |first1=Julie |last1=Hirschfeld Davis |first2=Sheryl Gay |last2=Stolberg |author-link2=Sheryl Gay Stolberg|first3=Thomas |last3=Kaplan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/us/politics/trump-shithole-countries.html |title=Trump Alarms Lawmakers With Disparaging Words for Haiti and Africa |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 11, 2017 }} Perdue said he did not recall Trump making those statements.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/1/12/16885312/trump-shithole-countries-denial |access-date=2020-12-21 |title=2 Republican senators have come down with a case of "shithole"-related amnesia|first=Andrew|last=Prokop|date=January 12, 2018|website=Vox}}{{cite news |first=Ashley |last=Killough |date=January 12, 2017 |work=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/12/politics/senators-trump-comment-tom-cotton/index.html |title=2 Republican senators in Trump meeting say they don't recall 'shithole' comment |access-date=January 13, 2017 |quote=...We do not recall the President saying these comments specifically but what he did call out was the imbalance in our current immigration system,... }}{{cite news |first=Sean |last=Higgins |date=January 14, 2017 |work=Washington Examiner |url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/david-perdue-trump-did-not-make-shithole-countries-comment/article/2645884 |title=David Perdue: Trump did not make 'shithole countries' comment |access-date=January 14, 2017 |quote=....Asked repeatedly is the president specifically used the words "shithole country," Perdue, who was present at the meeting, eventually said, "I am telling you that he did not use those words." }} Perdue subsequently elaborated that Trump "did not use that word", and that the accusation was "a gross misrepresentation".{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/14/us/politics/david-perdue-trump-shithole.html|title=Hopes Dim for DACA Deal as Lawmakers Battle Over Trump's Immigration Remarks|first1=Thomas|last1=Kaplan|first2=Noah|last2=Weiland|first3=Michael D.|last3=Shear|date=January 14, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times}} Off the record White House officials told the Washington Post that Perdue privately expressed belief that Trump had said "shithouse", not "shithole".{{cite news |last1=Dawsey |first1=Josh |last2=Costa |first2=Robert |last3=Parker |first3=Ashley |title=Inside the tense, profane White House meeting on immigration |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-the-tense-profane-white-house-meeting-on-immigration/2018/01/15/13e79fa4-fa1e-11e7-8f66-2df0b94bb98a_story.html |access-date=November 22, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180116030247/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-the-tense-profane-white-house-meeting-on-immigration/2018/01/15/13e79fa4-fa1e-11e7-8f66-2df0b94bb98a_story.html |archive-date=January 16, 2018 |url-status=live }} On January 1, 2021, Perdue absented himself from the override of Trump's veto of the defense spending bill.[https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/perdue-loeffler-absent-from-senate-vote-to-override-trump-veto-of-defense-bill/OCTXLLUGCZD3RGYNAZGHN54WC4/ Perdue, Loeffler absent from Senate vote to override Trump veto of defense bill], Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2012.

File:RNC 2016 RNC Convention 2016 1 (46740702152).jpg]]

In December 2017, Perdue voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He voted for the 2017 budget, which could add as much as $1.5 trillion to deficits over ten years, because he said the tax cuts could lead to more revenue due to the economic growth they would encourage.{{cite news |last1=Hallerman |first1=Tamar |title=David Perdue, a deficit hawk, weighs Trump's pricier fiscal priorities |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/david-perdue-deficit-hawk-weighs-trump-pricier-fiscal-priorities/uHGD9RyA2Hv8KjC4v4OzbO/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226120747/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/david-perdue-deficit-hawk-weighs-trump-pricier-fiscal-priorities/uHGD9RyA2Hv8KjC4v4OzbO/ |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-02-26 |access-date=July 31, 2020 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=October 25, 2017}}

Perdue supports a constitutional balanced budget amendment.{{cite news|first=Wes|last=Mayer |title=Perdue Visits Newnan During Run-off Campaign |url=http://www.times-herald.com/local/20140711-Perdue-visits-Redneck--again |newspaper=Times-Herald |date=July 18, 2014 |access-date=September 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713061005/http://www.times-herald.com/local/20140711-Perdue-visits-Redneck--again |archive-date=July 13, 2014 }}

In September 2018, Perdue was one of six Republican senators (along with Jeff Flake, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Ben Sasse, and Pat Toomey), as well as Bernie Sanders, who voted against a $854 billion spending bill for the Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor and Education departments, meant to avoid a government shutdown.{{cite web |last1=Carney |first1=Jordain |last2=Elis |first2=Niv |title=Senate approves $854B spending bill |date=September 18, 2018 |url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/407218-senate-approves-854b-spending-bill |website=The Hill |access-date=September 19, 2018}}

Perdue opposed a proposed Rivian electric vehicle factory near Atlanta, criticizing the company during the 2022 primaries as a "George Soros-owned woke corporation" that is "seemingly inconsistent with Georgia values" (citing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and diversity and inclusion policies), and a package of $1.5 billion in taxpayer incentives he claimed were the "worst deal" he had ever seen.{{Cite web |title=Georgia electrical vehicle factory becomes Kemp, Perdue campaign battle |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/georgia-electrical-vehicle-factory-becomes-kemp-perdue-campaign-battle-rcna29102 |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=NBC News |date=May 21, 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Kann |first=Drew |title=Some candidates bashed the Rivian EV deal. Here's how they fared. |language=English |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/some-candidates-bashed-the-rivian-ev-deal-heres-how-they-fared/2FGTMR5THVAPPGZEZMATRUZY7M/ |access-date=2022-10-22 |issn=1539-7459}}

In March 2017, Perdue co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, a bill that would make it a federal crime for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories if protesting actions by the Israeli government.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors - S.720 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act|date=March 23, 2017|website=www.congress.gov}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|title=43 Senators Want to Make It a Federal Crime to Boycott Israeli Settlements|last=Levitz|first=Eric|date=July 19, 2017|magazine=Intelligencer|language=en}}

In April 2018, Perdue signed a letter asking the Trump administration to respond to revelations that North Korea was supplying some components of chemical weapons in Syria.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/383085-key-senators-warn-trump-of-north-korea-effort-on-syria|title=Key senators warn Trump of North Korea effort on Syria|first=Ellen|last=Mitchell|date=April 13, 2018|work=The Hill}}

In November 2019, at the White House's request, Perdue blocked a vote on recognizing the Armenian genocide.{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/white-house-lindsey-graham-armenian-genocide-b3886afb-c626-476b-8a44-6d7197acd963.html |date=November 24, 2019 |title=Scoop: White House directed block of Armenian genocide resolution|first=Jonathan|last=Swan|website=Axios}}

In January 2020, Perdue expressed support for the US military's assassination of Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani by drone strike at the Baghdad International Airport.{{cite press release|url=https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-comments-on-death-of-iranian-general-soleimani|title=Senator David Perdue Comments On Death Of Iranian General Soleimani|website=www.tillis.senate.gov|publisher=Senate website|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926235142/https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-comments-on-death-of-iranian-general-soleimani|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2020/jan/03/southern-lawmakers-divided-over-us-strike-kil/512138/ |first=Greg |last=Bluestein |title=Southern, local lawmakers divided over U.S. strike that killed Iranian leader|newspaper=Chattanooga Times Free Press|date=January 3, 2020}}

Perdue opposed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and voted to repeal it.{{Cite web|date=July 28, 2017|title=Sen. David Perdue: Americans should be 'outraged' over Senate failure on ACA repeal vote|url=https://apnews.com/article/c8702b18a0824c92b021b29b51060bfb|access-date=November 6, 2020|work=AP News}}{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Gaines|title=Nunn, Perdue take different tacks at forum|url=http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/08/21/3259483/nunn-perdue-take-different-tacks.html|newspaper=Ledger-Enquirer|date=August 21, 2014|access-date=September 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709142359/http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/08/21/3259483/nunn-perdue-take-different-tacks.html|archive-date=July 9, 2015|url-status=dead}} In 2017, he supported replacing Obamacare with the Better Care Reconciliation Act. The Congressional Budget Office projected that 22 million fewer Americans would be insured by 2026 with this bill than if Obamacare remained. The Urban Institute projected that the Better Care Reconciliation Act would have resulted in 376,000 more Georgians lacking health insurance. Ultimately, no measure to replace Obamacare in 2017 succeeded.{{cite news |last1=Jacobson |first1=Louis |title=David Perdue stated on July 28, 2017 in a statement: Because of the failure to pass a repeal bill, "Obamacare remains the law of the land ... This means more than 300,000 Georgians below the poverty line will still not have access to the insurance Obamacare promised." |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2017/aug/03/david-perdue/gop-senator-david-perdue-blames-obamacare-leaving-/ |access-date=December 21, 2020 |work=PolitiFact |date=August 3, 2017}}

During his 2020 reelection campaign, Perdue said he "always believed in protections for Americans with preexisting conditions", and that "health insurance should always cover preexisting conditions. For anyone." PolitiFact rated this claim "false", noting Perdue's opposition to Obamacare and support of policies that would allow insurers not to cover all preexisting conditions. Perdue co-sponsored the PROTECT Act (which was not voted on in the Senate), which would have allowed insurers to refuse coverage if they "will not have the capacity to deliver services adequately." In 2018, Perdue also supported longer extensions for short-term health insurance plans, which can exclude coverage for preexisting conditions.{{Cite web|date=September 3, 2020|title=Georgia Sen. Perdue's record on preexisting conditions doesn't match his promises|author=Greenberg, John|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/sep/03/david-perdue/georgia-sen-perdues-record-preexisting-conditions-/|access-date=September 10, 2020|website=PolitiFact|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Politifact site: Perdue health claim 'false'|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/politics/perdue-politifact-falso/85-6de546f9-f66e-4e16-a812-3a96ca3face0|access-date=September 10, 2020|website=11Alive.com|date=September 9, 2020 |language=en-US}} A spokesperson for Perdue said that PolitiFact "cherry-picked select information to draw a misleading conclusion".{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Alex |last2=Raju |first2=Manu |title=GOP Senate candidates turn to their families to deflect Democratic attacks on health care |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/18/politics/republican-senate-candidates-health-care/index.html |work=CNN |date=September 18, 2020}}

In 2017, Perdue and Tom Cotton co-sponsored the RAISE Act, an immigration reductionist proposal that would cut legal immigration to the United States by 50% over 10 years, restrict the family reunification part of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, eliminate the diversity visa lottery, and create a points-based immigration system that would favor skilled immigrants.{{cite news |first=Priscilla |last=Alvarez |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/08/can-a-decades-old-immigration-proposal-pass-under-trump/537138/ |title=Can a Decades-Old Immigration Proposal Pass Under Trump? |work=The Atlantic |date=August 21, 2017 }}

In June 2019, Perdue supported Trump's decision to place tariffs on Mexico unless illegal immigration from Mexico stopped. Perdue said, "He has to use a hammer. We're being invaded right now."{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-tariffs-mexico_n_5cf921dce4b0638bdfa5cc23|title=Republicans Are Twisting Themselves Into Knots Trying To Defend Trump's Tariffs|last=Bobic|first=Igor|date=July 6, 2019|website=Huffington Post|language=en|access-date=July 9, 2019}}

Perdue opposed the Common Core plan, which Georgia Republican leaders adopted in 2010, and then turned against. Perdue said he supported "the original intent" of Common Core but took issue with "the details" and "how it's going to be administered," saying "Common Core has become overreaching and should be abandoned."{{cite web|first=Eric|last=Stirgus|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2014/apr/29/david-perdue-files/common-core-claim-doesnt-make-grade/ |access-date=2020-12-21 |title=David Perdue supports Common Core: Common Core claim doesn't make the grade|website=PolitiFact|date=April 29, 2014}}

Perdue opposed same-sex marriage.{{Cite web|title=David Perdue on Civil Rights|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/domestic/David_Perdue_Civil_Rights.htm|access-date=October 18, 2020|website=www.ontheissues.org}} After the Supreme Court ruled it constitutional in 2015, he co-sponsored legislation to allow federal contractors and employees to oppose same-sex marriage on the grounds of moral or religious convictions.{{cite web |last1=Kauffman |first1=Johnny |title=Sen. Isakson: Religious Freedom Laws Should Be Left To Feds |url=http://cp.wabe.org/post/sen-isakson-religious-freedom-laws-should-be-left-feds |website=cp.wabe.org |language=en |date=January 8, 2016 |access-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109190049/http://cp.wabe.org/post/sen-isakson-religious-freedom-laws-should-be-left-feds |url-status=dead }}

Perdue married Bonnie Dunn in August 1972.{{Cite news|date=August 3, 1972|title=Houston Marriage Licenses|page=10-C|newspaper=Houston Home Journal|location=Perry, Houston County, Ga.|url=https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053614/1972-08-03/ed-1/seq-40/|access-date=June 17, 2020|via=gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu}} The couple lives in Sea Island, Georgia.{{cite news|last=Gillooly|first=Jon|date=February 16, 2014|title=Senate hopeful Perdue weighs in on hot-button issues|newspaper=Marietta Daily Journal|url=http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/24587785/article-Senate-hopeful-Perdue-weighs-in-on-hot-button-issues|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212120833/http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/24587785/article-Senate-hopeful-Perdue-weighs-in-on-hot-button-issues|archive-date=2016-02-12}} They had a daughter who died in infancy{{Cite web|date=July 1, 1976|title=Obituaries: Perdue|url=https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053614/1976-07-01/ed-1/seq-16/|access-date=June 17, 2020|location=Perry, Houston County, Ga.|page=16-A|via=gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu|newspaper=Houston Home Journal}} and two sons, David A. Perdue III and Blake Perdue, as well as three grandchildren.

{{Election box begin no change |title=United States Senate Republican primary election in Georgia, 2014{{Cite web|url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/GA/51345/132192/en/summary.html|title=GA - Primary Election Results, May 20, 2014|website=George Secretary of State official site|access-date=February 12, 2020}} }}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = David Perdue

|votes = 185,466

|percentage = 30.64%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jack Kingston

|votes = 156,157

|percentage = 25.80%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Karen Handel

|votes = 132,944

|percentage = 21.96%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Phil Gingrey

|votes = 60,735

|percentage = 10.03%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Paul Broun

|votes = 58,297

|percentage = 9.63%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Derrick Grayson

|votes = 6,045

|percentage = 1.00%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Arthur "Art" Gardner

|votes = 5,711

|percentage = 0.94%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 605,355

|percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title= United States Senate Republican primary runoff election in Georgia, 2014{{Cite web|url=https://admin.enr.clarityelections.com/files/GA/52176/137603/en/md_data.html?cid=6010&pv=undefined&|title=GA - Primary Runoff Results, July 22, 2014|website=George Secretary of State official site|access-date=February 12, 2020}} }}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = David Perdue

|votes = 245,951

|percentage = 50.88%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jack Kingston

|votes = 237,448

|percentage = 49.12%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 483,399

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin

| title=United States Senate general election in Georgia, 2014{{Cite web|url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/GA/54042/149045/en/summary.html|title=GA - General Election Results, November 4, 2014|website=George Secretary of State official site|access-date=February 12, 2020}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| candidate = David Perdue

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,358,088

| percentage = 52.89%

| change = -

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| candidate = Michelle Nunn

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,160,811

| percentage = 45.21%

| change = -

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| candidate = Amanda Swafford

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| votes = 48,862

| percentage = 1.90%

| change = -

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| candidate = Anantha Reddy Muscu

| party = Write-in

| votes = 21

| percentage = 0.00%

| change = -

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| candidate = Mary Schroder

| party = Write-in

| votes = 14

| percentage = 0.00%

| change = -

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| candidate = Brian Russell Brown

| party = Write-in

| votes = 9

| percentage = 0.00%

| change = -

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 2,567,805

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title= United States Senate Republican primary election in Georgia, 2020}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = David Perdue (incumbent)

|votes = 992,555

|percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 992,555

|percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin

| title=United States Senate general election in Georgia, 2020{{cite web |title=Georgia Election Results |url= https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/GA/105369/web.264614/#/detail/10000 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| candidate = David Perdue (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 2,462,617

| percentage = 49.73%

| change = -3.16%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| candidate = Jon Ossoff

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 2,374,519

| percentage = 47.95%

| change = +2.74%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Shane T. Hazel|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|votes=115,039|percentage=2.32%|change=+0.42%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link

| votes = 952

| percentage = 0.02%

| change = n/a

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 4,953,127

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin

| title=United States Senate runoff election in Georgia, 2021

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| candidate = Jon Ossoff

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 2,269,923

| percentage = 50.61%

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|candidate=David Perdue (incumbent)

|party=Republican Party (United States)

|votes= 2,214,979

|percentage= 49.39%

|change=

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 4,484,902

| percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser = Republican Party (United States)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Georgia Gubernatorial Republican primary, 2022}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Brian Kemp (incumbent)|votes=887,389|percentage=73.7}}

{{Election box candidate no party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=David Perdue|votes=262,118|percentage=21.8}}

{{Election box candidate no party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Kandiss Taylor|votes=41,183|percentage=3.4}}

{{Election box candidate no party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Catherine Davis|votes=9,775|percentage=0.8}}

{{Election box candidate no party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Tom Williams|votes=3,252|percentage=0.3}}{{Election box end}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{CongLinks | congbio = P000612 | votesmart = 151330 | fec = S4GA11285 | congress = david-perdue/2286 }}

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