Robert White (Washington, D.C., politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert White
White in 2017
Member of the Council of the District of Columbia at-large
Incumbent
Assumed office September 16, 2016
Preceded by	Vincent Orange
Personal details
Born	1982 (age 42–43) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Christy White
Children	2
Education	St. Mary's College, Maryland (BA) American University (JD)

Robert C. White Jr. (born in 1982) is an American lawyer and politician. He has been a member of the Council of the District of Columbia since 2016. This council helps make laws for Washington, D.C. Before joining the council, he worked for Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2022, he ran for mayor of Washington, D.C., and came in second place in the Democratic primary election.

Robert White's Early Life and Education

Robert White was born in Washington, D.C., in 1982. His parents were Robert "Bobby" White Sr. and Tamara Richards. Robert is one of five children. His father is a deacon in the Catholic Church. When Robert was young, his parents divorced. His mother passed away from breast cancer in September 1990 when he was eight years old. A month after her death, he was seriously hurt in a car accident. He suffered a severe skull fracture but fully recovered after several operations.

White went to Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. He started playing lacrosse in his last year of high school. After graduating, he attended St. Mary's College of Maryland. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science (the study of government) and philosophy (the study of knowledge and values) in 2004. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college.

Later, White went to law school at American University in Washington, D.C. He earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor, in 2007.

Robert White's Career Journey

From 2007 to 2008, Robert White worked as a law clerk for a court in Maryland. He also worked at a law firm. In July 2008, he became a legislative counsel for Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. In this role, he helped write laws and advise on topics like economic development and environmental protection.

In 2013, White helped start the Brightwood Park Citizens Association and was chosen as its first president. This group helps people in the Brightwood Park neighborhood.

Running for Council in 2014

In 2013, Robert White decided to run for an at-large seat on the Council of the District of Columbia. An at-large seat means he would represent the entire city, not just one specific area. He wanted to win one of the two open seats.

During his campaign, White suggested that all political donations from companies and private groups should be stopped. He believed that public money should be used to fund all campaigns for D.C. government jobs. Many people and groups supported his campaign, including other council members and labor unions. The Washington Post newspaper also supported him.

However, on election day, voters chose other candidates. Robert White came in fourth place. He later said that his campaign, which was run by volunteers, needed more time and experience to help get voters to the polls.

Running for Council in 2016

Primary Election

In 2015, Robert White started working for the Attorney General of the District of Columbia as the first Director of Community Outreach. Later that year, he began exploring another run for an at-large council seat, challenging the person who held the seat, Vincent Orange.

White gained support from many groups, including a progressive group called D.C. For Democracy and several tenants' rights groups. He also received endorsements from an LGBT activist group and a Latino political group.

During his campaign, White talked about the importance of ethics in government. He also promised to improve how the city's transportation and consumer protection departments work. He wanted to make housing more affordable and support laws that would give workers paid sick leave.

On June 14, 2016, Robert White won the Democratic Party's nomination for the at-large seat on the city council. He won by a small margin.

Interim Council Appointment

After the primary election, the person who held the seat, Vincent Orange, resigned from the council. This happened because he took a new job that his colleagues felt created a conflict of interest.

On September 15, 2016, officials from the D.C. Democratic State Committee voted to appoint Robert White to fill Orange's empty seat. He was sworn in the very next day.

General Election

White speaking at a protest against President Donald Trump's proposed immigration bans in January 2017

In June 2016, White supported a plan to change how campaigns are funded in D.C. This plan would stop any person or company from getting a city contract worth $100,000 or more if they donated to a city council election. This was one of the strictest ideas to deal with ethics issues in the council.

On November 8, 2016, Robert White easily won the election for the seat he had been temporarily appointed to. He received a large percentage of all the votes.

2022 Mayoral Campaign

In October 2021, White announced he would run for Mayor in the 2022 election. He received support from many important groups, including the D.C. Attorney General, nurses' associations, teachers' unions, and environmental groups. He also became a "Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate," which means he supports common-sense gun safety laws. In June 2022, he finished second in the Democratic Primary election for mayor.

Council Term and Achievements

Robert White was sworn into office for a full four-year term on January 2, 2017. During his time on the council, he has helped pass many important laws. These laws include:

• The Birth to Three for All DC Act, which expanded early childhood education.
• The Returning Citizens Opportunity to Succeed Amendment Act, which helps people who have been in prison get back on their feet.
• The Youth Rights Amendment Act, which protects the rights of young people.
• Laws to improve affordable housing and financial education in schools.
• Laws to help transgender and non-binary people in government jobs.
• The Restore the Vote Amendment Act, which helps more people vote.
• The Renewable Energy Future Amendment Act, which supports clean energy.

In 2019, White voted to approve a large contract for sports betting operations in D.C. He had some concerns at first because the contract was given without other companies being able to bid for it. However, he changed his mind after his committee was given oversight of the transit agency, believing it would benefit local businesses.

As the head of the Committee on Facilities and Procurement, White received a donation for his 2020 re-election campaign from a company that provided security officers to the D.C. Government. This company later faced accusations of providing staff with expired licenses and other issues. White stated he would look into the company's practices. Before he took office, White had said that all corporate donations should be banned.

Robert White's Personal Life

Robert White met his wife, Christy Richardson, in law school. She is also a lawyer. They got married in October 2012. They have two daughters: Madison, born in July 2016, and Monroe, born in March 2019. Their family is Catholic.

White has lived in several neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., including Southwest D.C., Brightwood Park, and Shepherd Park.

Images for kids

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  White in 2017

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  White speaking at a protest against President Donald Trump's proposed immigration bans in January 2017