Sources: Ross Perot Jr. set to lead US Chamber board in 2025
The Texas developer and son of former presidential candidate Ross Perot is set to lead the Chamber's board of directors with eye on Trump administration
Texas developer and Republican donor Ross Perot Jr. is set to take control of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors in June, as the business group retools for a new White House, two people familiar with the move told 24sight News.
The move comes as part of a broader effort by the longstanding business lobby to get back in better with Republicans and, in particular, fight against expected tariffs in the second Trump administration, according to one of the people familiar with the move and one person working on President-elect Donald Trump’s transition project.
“Perot wants the Chamber to go back to jobs and growth, stop the rooftop wine parties and make the Chamber great again,” one of the people familiar with internal Chamber discussions told 24sight News.
Perot Jr., the son of former third-party presidential candidate Ross Perot who has grown into a quiet force recently in Republican politics, was anointed by Chamber president Suzanne Clark, as the long-running business group looks to regain its standing with Republicans and the incoming Trump administration, the people familiar with the move said.
A U.S. Chamber spokesperson did not say whether Perot was slotted to the be the next board chair, which will be voted on at the group’s March meeting, or whether Clark was directly involved in his selection, but instead pointed to a press release announcing his selection for to be the board’s vice chair Thursday evening.
In the release, the Chamber touted Perot Jr’s plans to rebuild connections with the Republican Congress and the new White House.
"We are grateful for Ross's commitment as he steps into this new leadership role on the Chamber's board," Clark said. "As an experienced leader, job creator, and trusted voice of business, Ross will work with fellow Chamber members to advocate for policies that will unlock the nation's economic growth potential.”
A spokesperson for Perot Jr's development firm, Hillwood, did not return a request for comment Thursday.
Perot Jr.’s ascension in the group comes as he has been having more talks with the transition team for Trump, one person familiar with the move said. Perot Jr. supported former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Republican primary, but later donated to Trump after she dropped out of the race.
“Some of the Trump picks might be batsh** crazy, but knowing oldschool establishment groups like the Chamber, defense industry and pharmaceutical industry are sh***ing their pants makes me very happy,” said a veteran Republican operative not associated with the Trump campaign or transition team.