Rick Perry will be competing on the 23rd season of Dancing with the Stars when the show premieres Monday, September 12 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.
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Rick was initially elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1984, but now he's a Republican.
Rick assumed the office of governor following the resignation of George W. Bush, who was preparing to become President of the United States.
Rick will be dancing with pro partner Emma Slater and intends to use the DWTS stage as a way to help veterans. Want to learn more about him?
Below is a list of 7 facts Reality TV World has compiled about Rick Perry:
- Rick was born on March 4, 1950 in Paint Creek, TX and became an Eagle Scout. His wife is Anita Thigpen Perry, his childhood sweetheart, and they celebrated the 50-year anniversary of their first date on September 9.
- He is the longest-serving governor in Texas history and, with a tenure in office of 14 years, was the second longest-serving U.S. governor (after Terry Branstad of Iowa) in America when he left office.
- Rick attended Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and served as senior class social secretary. He graduated from college in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal science.
- The politician has written two books: On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts are Worth Fighting For as well as Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington.
- Rick left the United States Air Force in 1977 with the rank of Captain to return to Texas and go into the cotton-farming business with his father.
- The DWTS contestant played himself in minor roles for several feature films including Man of the House, Deep in the Heart, and Hating Breitbart.
- Rick launched his 2016 presidential candidacy in June 2015 but withdrew three months later due to poor polling and financial restraints. After Ted Cruz suspended his presidential campaign, Rick endorsed Donald Trump for president.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
