ATLANTA - The man elected as Georgia's first Republican governor in more than 130 years is not a longtime GOP activist. <br>
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In fact, Sonny Perdue was a top ranking Democratic legislator just four years ago. <br>
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The 55-year-old Perdue's victory yesterday denied Governor Barnes a second term. It also shattered a Democratic reign dating from Reconstruction. <br>
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Perdue gave up the Number Two position in the state Senate when he left the Democrats in 1998. <br>
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He called it a matter of conscience. <br>
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Perdue was easily re-elected as a Republican, but unable to block Democratic initiatives, he resigned last year. <br>
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George Ervin ``Sonny'' Perdue the Third was born December 20, 1946, and grew up in middle Georgia of Bonaire. The nickname ``Sonny'' was given to distinguish him from his father and grandfather. <br>
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After a tour of duty in the Air Force, he returned to middle Georgia and built the area's first grain storage facility, a small business that made him a millionaire.
