Scott Perry

Scott Perry
Born	Scott Gordon Perry 27 5, 1962
Birthplace	San Diego, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, retired military officer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district; Chair of the House Freedom Caucus (2022–2024)
Education	Pennsylvania State University (BS) United States Army War College (MS)
Spouse(s)	Christy Perry
Children	2
Awards	Legion of Merit
Website	[[perry.house.gov perry.house.gov] Official site]

Scott Gordon Perry (born May 27, 1962) is an American politician and retired United States Army brigadier general serving as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, Perry represents a district centered around Harrisburg, York, and surrounding communities in Dauphin, Cumberland, and York counties. Before his election to Congress, Perry served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2007 to 2012, representing the 92nd district. His nearly four-decade military career in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard included command assignments and a deployment to Iraq, culminating in his promotion to brigadier general. In November 2021, Perry was elected chair of the House Freedom Caucus, the most conservative Republican caucus in the House, and served in that role from January 2022 through the end of 2023.

Early Life

Scott Gordon Perry was born on May 27, 1962, in San Diego, California. Details about his parents and the circumstances of his early childhood in San Diego are limited in available sources. Perry eventually settled in Pennsylvania, where he would build both his military career and his political life.

Perry enlisted in the United States Army in 1980, at the age of eighteen, beginning a military career that would span nearly four decades. He joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, where he would serve in a variety of roles with increasing levels of responsibility. His early military service shaped much of his adult life and later informed his political positions, particularly on matters of national defense and veterans' affairs.

Perry grew up and established his adult life in the York area of south-central Pennsylvania, a region that would later form the core of his political constituency. The area, which includes parts of the Susquehanna Valley, is characterized by a mix of suburban communities, small towns, and rural landscapes.

Education

Perry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University. He later pursued graduate education at the United States Army War College, located at Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies. The Army War College is the U.S. Army's senior-level professional development institution, and attendance is typically reserved for senior military officers and select civilian leaders. Perry's completion of the program reflected his progression through the ranks of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and prepared him for senior command responsibilities.

Career

Military Service

Perry's military career began in 1980 when he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard over the course of nearly four decades, holding a wide range of positions. Perry trained as an aviator and became a helicopter pilot, eventually accumulating significant flight experience over the course of his career.

During the Iraq War, Perry deployed to Iraq, serving in a combat zone as part of the broader U.S. military operations in the country. His deployment to Iraq was a significant element of his military biography and later featured prominently in his political campaigns.

Over the course of his career, Perry held several command positions within the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment, a unit within the Guard's aviation structure. He also commanded the 166th Regiment at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania's primary National Guard installation. Perry rose through the ranks to serve in leadership roles within the 28th Infantry Division, one of the Army National Guard's most historic divisions, which has its headquarters in Pennsylvania.

In 2015, Perry was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, marking the culmination of his military advancement. He retired from military service in 2019 after thirty-nine years of service. Among the decorations Perry received during his military career was the Legion of Merit.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Before entering federal politics, Perry served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 92nd district. He assumed office on January 2, 2007, succeeding Republican Bruce Smith. The 92nd district encompassed portions of York County in south-central Pennsylvania.

During his tenure in the state legislature, Perry served on multiple committees and engaged in legislative work related to issues affecting his district and the commonwealth. He continued to serve simultaneously in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard while holding his state legislative seat, balancing dual responsibilities as a citizen-soldier and elected official.

Perry served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives until November 30, 2012, when he resigned to prepare for his transition to the United States Congress. He was succeeded in the 92nd district seat by Mike Regan.

U.S. House of Representatives

2012 Election

In 2012, Perry ran for the United States House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district, a seat that had been redrawn following the 2010 Census. The district encompassed portions of south-central Pennsylvania, including areas around York and parts of the Harrisburg metropolitan area. The incumbent, Republican Todd Platts, did not seek reelection in the newly configured district.

Perry won the Republican primary and went on to win the general election in November 2012. He took office on January 3, 2013, becoming a member of the 113th United States Congress.

Subsequent Elections

Perry was reelected in subsequent cycles, including in 2016, when he won in the 4th congressional district. Following redistricting ahead of the 2018 elections, Perry's district was renumbered as Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district, though it continued to encompass much of the same territory in the Harrisburg and York areas of south-central Pennsylvania. Perry has continued to win reelection in the 10th district.

Congressional Tenure

As a member of Congress, Perry has represented a district that includes significant portions of Dauphin County, Cumberland County, and York County. The district encompasses the state capital of Harrisburg, the city of York, and many of their surrounding suburban communities.

Perry has been associated with the conservative wing of the Republican Party throughout his congressional career. He was an early member of the House Freedom Caucus, a congressional caucus established in 2015 by a group of conservative Republican members of the House of Representatives who sought to push the party's leadership in a more conservative direction on fiscal, social, and governance issues.

Perry's legislative work has reflected his military background and the interests of his district. His committee assignments and legislative priorities have included issues related to national defense, homeland security, veterans' affairs, and transportation, among others.

Chair of the House Freedom Caucus

In November 2021, Perry was elected chair of the House Freedom Caucus, succeeding Andy Biggs of Arizona in the role. He officially began serving as chair in January 2022. The House Freedom Caucus, which typically numbers several dozen members, has exerted significant influence over Republican legislative strategy and leadership decisions, particularly when the Republican conference holds a narrow majority in the House.

As chair, Perry served as the public spokesperson and strategic leader of the caucus during a period of considerable political activity. He held the position through the end of 2023 and was succeeded by Bob Good of Virginia in January 2024.

Role in 2020 Presidential Election Disputes

Perry was involved in efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 United States presidential election. He participated in attempts to overturn the election outcome, including efforts related to replacing Pennsylvania's slate of presidential electors. His involvement in these activities drew significant public attention and scrutiny. Perry's role in the post-election disputes was examined as part of broader investigations into efforts to contest the 2020 election results.

Personal Life

Scott Perry resides in the York area of south-central Pennsylvania with his wife, Christy Perry. The couple has two children. Perry's long residence in the region has been a consistent element of his identity as a representative, and he has maintained his home in the district he represents throughout his time in Congress.

Perry's personal life has been closely intertwined with his military service. His nearly four decades in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, including his deployment to Iraq and his rise to the rank of brigadier general, have been defining aspects of his biography. His military background has been a prominent element of his public identity and political campaigns.

Recognition

Perry's military career earned him several honors, including the Legion of Merit, one of the higher-ranking military decorations awarded by the United States Armed Forces for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. His promotion to brigadier general in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 2015 was itself a significant recognition of his decades of service and leadership within the Guard.

In the political realm, Perry's election as chair of the House Freedom Caucus in 2021 represented a recognition by his conservative colleagues of his leadership within the caucus and the broader conservative movement in Congress. The chairmanship placed him among the most prominent voices of the Republican Party's conservative wing during his two-year tenure in the role.

Perry has been profiled and covered extensively by regional media outlets in south-central Pennsylvania, including the York Daily Record and PennLive, as one of the most prominent political figures in the Harrisburg-York corridor.