Jo Rae Perkins holds an Associate of Science in business management and a Bachelor of Arts in political science. Perkins spent several years in the financial sector before transitioning to political leadership. Perkins has held various roles within the Republican Party, including serving as chairwoman of the Linn County Republican Party. Perkins has run for local offices but has not secured elected positions. Perkins has also engaged in community volunteer activities, including managing air ballooning at a local festival.

Jo Rae Perkins combines unexpected policy stances with a staunch ideological framework, advocating for permanent residency for undocumented immigrants alongside border security measures, while also supporting the privatization of Medicare and Social Security. Her legislative record reveals a calculated approach to regional industrial interests, particularly in environmental regulations. Perkins's rhetoric often challenges conventional wisdom, as seen in her opposition to masks and official COVID-19 statistics, raising questions about her broader approach to public health and expert consultation.