Dan Perdue vying for second term as Houston County Commissioner Chair

HOUSTON COUNTY— Houston County native Dan Perdue is running for reelection as he seeks a second term to become Chairman of the Houston County Board of Commissioners. 

Apart from attending school in Atlanta, Perdue has lived in Houston County for most of his life. He is married to his wife, Jessica, a fellow Houston County native, and they have three children: Rabun, 17; Eleanor, 15; and Thomas, 11. 

After graduating from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Information Systems, Perdue returned to Houston County and worked for Central Georgia Technical College (Middle Georgia Technical College at the time), as well as for Fort Valley State University and Crosspoint Baptist Church. 

He then pursued two very different career paths simultaneously: IT consulting and farming blackberries. 

Perdue’s public service career began with service on the Perry Chamber of Commerce Board. He then served on the Houston County Planning and Zoning Board, then ran for County Commissioner Post 2 in 2020, serving in that role in 2021. 

Perdue said he never would have imagined that the chairman at the time, Tommy Stalnaker, would ever retire. 

“I just started praying and seeking God’s will if the Lord wanted me more involved in county operations, so I decided to put my name forward in 2022 to be the next Houston County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and thankfully was successful,” he said. “It has just been a real joy and a privilege to serve Houston County, and I certainly hope that I get to do it another four more years. It’s been a great honor in my life to give back to a county which has given me so much.” 

Perdue explained that the Chairman is essentially the Chief Executive of Houston County, overseeing day-to-day operations. He works alongside Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar and Director of Operations in Public Works, Brian Jones, to ensure those branches of government are operating as they should. 

“That’s everything from roads and bridges to planning and zoning to accounting and purchasing, our water systems, landfill and solid waste pickup,” he said. “When things go awry, I try not to micromanage, but I do try to know what is going on and try to give people the resources, the tools and decisions most often to help them move the ball forward.” 

He mentioned that the primary responsibility each year is to prepare the budget. The Chairman will collaborate with the Sheriff, Judges, Superior Court Clerk, Tax Commissioner, Probate Court Judge and many others. 

“In budgeting, it’s very challenging. Every citizen wants lower taxes and better services for our government,” he said. “We understand that, and it’s our goal to do things as efficiently and as effectively as possible.” 

Perdue said he wants the county to remain fiscally conservative and to focus more on what the government should be doing: public safety and infrastructure. However, he said they are not looking to grow the scope of government. 

“Property taxes have gone up, but all of those dollars have been spent in order to keep people employed in our Sheriff’s Department, our jail and our roads and bridges department,” he said. “While we’ve lowered the millage rate, I understand that people are concerned about property taxes and will continue to look for ways that they get the best bang for their buck in terms of their property tax dollars.” 

Perdue also wants to make sure Houston County stands up for what is right and does what is right, and to make the county a great place where his kids can grow up. 

“I want Houston County to be a place that is just as good to my kids as it was for me, in terms of upbringing and what they learn and see what a great community looks like as they grow up,” he said. 

Perdue is excited about upcoming projects funded by the 2024 SPLOST, including an upgraded or new Animal Control facility, a Performing Arts Center and next-generation 911. 

Perdue also mentioned transportation road projects in the works, such as the Thompson Mill extension, St. Patrick’s Road extension and Houston Lake and Dunbar Rd. area. 

Perdue has already qualified for re-election and had their campaign kick-off event on Feb. 26. 

“I think people are excited about the direction of Houston County,” he said, “I am just continuing to build on a legacy of wise leadership and stewardship here in Houston County, and I’m looking forward to continuing to do that.” 

Perdue believes the county has made good strides in employee retention and leadership development, as well as in infrastructure and public safety. 

“This job is really the joy of my life and an honor of my life that I get to do, so I would love to continue to do it,” he said. 

The General Primary Election is May 19, 2026. To learn more about Dan Perdue and to keep up with his campaign, go to votedanperdue.com.