James White (Texas politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James White
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White in 2021
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| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 19th district |
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| In office January 8, 2013 – August 11, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Tuffy Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | Ellen Troxclair |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 12th district |
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| In office January 11, 2011 – January 8, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Jim McReynolds |
| Succeeded by | Kyle Kacal |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Earl White
July 16, 1964 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University (BS, MEd) University of Houston (MS, PhD) |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1986–1992 |
| Unit | Infantry Division |
James Earl White (born July 16, 1964) is a former member of the Texas House of Representatives. He represented District 19, which included several counties in Texas. Before that, he represented District 12. He is a member of the Republican Party. White served in the Texas House from 2011 until August 11, 2022.
He lives in Hillister, Texas.
Contents
About James White
Early Life and Education
James White was born and grew up in Houston, Texas. He went to public schools and finished Lamar High School in 1982. In 1986, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University. This university is known as a historically Black college.
Military Service and Career
After college, White served in the United States Army from 1986 to 1992. He was an officer in the infantry. Later, he became a teacher in Houston and then at Woodville High School in Woodville. He also owns a cattle ranch. He is a member of the Hillister Baptist Church.
White continued his education, earning a Master of Education degree from Prairie View in 2000. He also received a Master of Science and a Ph.D. from the University of Houston in 2010 and 2012.
Community Involvement
James White is part of several groups. These include the American Legion, the Masonic lodge, and the National Rifle Association of America. He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi, a historically Black fraternity, and the Farm Bureau. He is also a board member for the Texas Federation of Republican Outreach.
Political Career
Becoming a Representative
In 2010, James White ran for the Texas House in District 12. He won against the person who was already in office, Jim McReynolds. In 2012, his district changed to District 19. He won the Republican primary election against Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton. After that, he ran without an opponent in the main election.
Key Issues and Votes
As a representative, White worked on different issues. In 2013, he voted on a bill about minors getting immunizations. In 2021, he spoke at an event about rules for vaccinations. He also suggested a bill to stop government groups from making private businesses require vaccinations.
White also worked on bills about historical monuments. In 2017 and 2019, he introduced bills to protect public monuments and memorials from being moved or changed. These bills aimed to make sure historical markers were preserved.
Re-election and Later Career
In the election on November 6, 2018, White won by a large margin against his opponent, Sherry Williams. He was the only African-American Republican serving in the Texas Legislature at that time. He was known as a strong conservative who also supported making the justice system fairer.
In June 2021, White announced he would not run for the Texas House again. Instead, he decided to run for Agriculture Commissioner. He challenged the person currently holding that office, Sid Miller.
On August 11, 2022, James White left his position in the Texas House. He took a new job as the executive director of the Texas Funeral Services Commission.
