James White (Texas representative)
James White (Republican Party) was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 19. He assumed office in 2011. He left office on August 11, 2022.
White (Republican Party) ran for election for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. He lost in the Republican primary on March 1, 2022.
Biography
James White was born in Houston, Texas.[1] White earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Prairie View A&M University in 1986, a master's degree in education administration from Prairie View A&M University in 2000, and a doctorate in political science from the University of Houston in 2012.[1][2] He served in the U.S. Army with the Berlin Brigade. White's career experience includes working as a public school teacher, a coach, a businessman, and an author. He has been affiliated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Texas Farm Bureau.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Texas Agriculture Commissioner election, 2022
General election
General election for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent Sid Miller defeated Susan Hays in the general election for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sid Miller (R) | 56.3 | 4,480,186 | |
| Susan Hays (D) | 43.7 | 3,473,603 | ||
| Total votes: 7,953,789 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Susan Hays defeated Ed Ireson in the Democratic primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Susan Hays | 82.8 | 814,283 | |
| Ed Ireson | 17.2 | 169,503 | ||
| Total votes: 983,786 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent Sid Miller defeated James White and Carey Counsil in the Republican primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sid Miller | 58.5 | 992,330 | |
| James White | 31.1 | 528,434 | ||
| Carey Counsil | 10.4 | 176,083 | ||
| Total votes: 1,696,847 | ||||
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Campaign finance
2020
See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 19
Incumbent James White won election in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 19 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | James White (R) | 100.0 | 72,573 | |
| Total votes: 72,573 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 19
Incumbent James White advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 19 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | James White | 100.0 | 26,121 | |
| Total votes: 26,121 | ||||
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Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for Texas House of Representatives District 19
Incumbent James White defeated Sherry Williams in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 19 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | James White (R) | 83.2 | 50,046 | |
| Sherry Williams (D) | 16.8 | 10,112 | ||
| Total votes: 60,158 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 19
Sherry Williams advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 19 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sherry Williams | 100.0 | 2,470 | |
| Total votes: 2,470 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 19
Incumbent James White advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 19 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | James White | 100.0 | 16,244 | |
| Total votes: 16,244 | ||||
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2016
Elections for the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.[3]
Incumbent James White ran unopposed in the Texas House of Representatives District 19 general election.[4]
| Texas House of Representatives, District 19 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  James White Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 58,542 | |
| Total Votes | 58,542 | |||
| Source: Texas Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent James White ran unopposed in the Texas House of Representatives District 19 Republican Primary.[5][6]
| Texas House of Representatives, District 19 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | James White Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for all 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 4, 2014. Those candidates who did not receive 50 percent or more of the vote in their party primary on March 4 faced an additional May 27 primary runoff. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was December 9, 2013. Incumbent James White was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[7][8][9]
2012
White ran in the 2012 election for Texas House of Representatives, District 19. White defeated incumbent Mike Hamilton in the May 29 primary election and was unchallenged in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[10]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
James White |
54.5% | 10,190 |
| Mike Hamilton Incumbent | 45.5% | 8,503 |
| Total Votes | 18,693 | |
2010
White won election to the 12th District seat in 2010. He had no opposition in the March 2nd primary. He defeated Democratic incumbent Jim McReynolds in the general election on November 6, 2012.[10]
| Texas House of Representatives, District 12 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| James White (R)
|
20,958 | 57.63% | ||
| Jim McReynolds (D) | 15,405 | 42.36% | ||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
James White did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
James White did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
James White participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on April 3, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and James White's responses follow below.[11]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1) Growing our local prosperity 2) Securing our Texas borders |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | Criminal justice; Criminal justice is a core constitutional function of government. Either fortunately or unfortunately, it is a representation of what we value in our community, state, and nation. When we fail to grow our local prosperity, support the education and future of our youth, and fail in the area of health care, mental illness, and behavioral health, we see poor outcomes and frankly outcomes that undermine our public safety. So therefore, an interests in criminal justice demands attention on how we grow our local prosperity, expand educational opportunities, and provide access to a 21st century health care system.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[13]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. James White answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
| “ | I look up to my grandparents because they were trailblazers in business, property ownership, and served their country as veterans. They made many achievements during a period in our country in which it was difficult for American blacks to succeed. Nevertheless, they served and sacrificed for this nation, believed in its values, and left legacies of aspiration and hope for me and others in our family.[13] | ” |
| “ | The Bible, the Texas Constitution, and the United States Constitution.[13] | ” |
| “ | Courage, humility, restraint, and wisdom[13] | ” |
| “ | People-focused, data-driven, Policy over politics; people over party[13] | ” |
| “ | Adhere to the US and Texas constitutions[13] | ” |
| “ | Leave it better than I found it. More liberty and prosperity[13] | ” |
| “ | The first space walk on the moon[13] | ” |
| “ | 4 years old mowing yards for one entire summer[13] | ” |
| “ | Easter/Resurrection Sunday. It is a celebration of restoration and hope[13] | ” |
| “ | Bible, foundation of wisdom[13] | ” |
| “ | The National Anthem always rings in my mind. It is the rally cry of freedom worldwide[13] | ” |
| “ | The Texas House is the people’s chamber. Because of our more frequent elections and smaller districts the House tends to move, feel, and act as the people. The Senate do to its smaller number is more deliberative[13] | ” |
| “ | Yes, because it provides voters some level of measuring expectations[13] | ” |
| “ | Through managing growth, Texas must continue to provide local prosperity and individual liberty to a growing and more diverse populace based on free market policies and constitutional government.[13] | ” |
| “ | Constitutional: the Legislature makes the law and provides oversight. The Governor enforces the law[13] | ” |
| “ | Yes, by nature every legislative body is deliberative. It requires each member to work as a team for the common Good of all Texans.[13] | ” |
| “ | The state legislature performs its constitutional role to redraw districts in a constitutional, practical, and respective manner.[13] | ” |
| “ | Chairman of the House Committee on Corrections: opportunity to serve on a committee that involves a core function of government - public safety involves the security of our most precious aspect - liberty and provides an opportunity to facilitate individual restoration - victim restoration family revitalization justice-involved rehabilitation[13] | ” |
| “ | I am a part of Leadership as Chairman of the House Committee on Corrections[13] | ” |
| “ | Yes[13] | ” |
| “ | Hurricane Harvey impacted my district significantly. The testimonies of those that rescued and comforted so many of their fellow Texans while Harvey impacted their families and homes was inspirational[13] | ” |
2012
Whites' website highlighted the following campaign themes:
- Why I Am Running and My Philosophy on Government
- Excerpt: "The citizens of the United States, and in particular, the people of Texas, have instituted government in order to expand liberty and create opportunity. Because man is God’s most unique and valuable creation and governments are created to establish the common good, government is serious business. Since government’s nature is control, the paramount challenge is to establish a government that is strong enough to ensure the common good of the people, yet, not muscular enough to tyrannize the people. To meet this challenge, the people, ultimately the source of power, have devised constitutions under the premise that limited government attempts to do a few defined tasks very good, while at the same time preserving a maximum level of individual liberty...
- Nine years into the 21st century and the third century of our state’s existence, the current societal, cultural, and economic transformations in our society indicate that past institutions and methods are obsolete. Yet, the same values and principles, faith, personal liberty, opportunity, and prosperity, remain. This is the time to serve. Anyone can legislate during periods of high tax revenue, but the mark of the American experience is how we answer the call during periods of challenge. The next state legislative session faced an impending revenue shortfall, the demand for a 21st century infrastructure expansion and maintenance, the requirement to place the necessary incentives for robust private sector economic development, and the importance of ensuring that we have a 21st century hi-tech, global workforce."
- Education
- Excerpt: "The Texas Legislature commits almost 50 percent of the state budget to education and because of that, the people of Texas have high expectations...Various studies highlight three aspects that contribute to teacher quality: the pool of candidates for teachers; the training and preparation of teachers; and the leading and accountability of teachers...Employ performance-based practices that encourage the best to consider the teaching profession....Incentivize teachers to return to the university to complete a graduate degree in their teaching discipline...it is important for Texas public students know and have an appreciation for the values and principles that characterize us as Americans and Texans. It is right to teach our students about the Judeo-Christian heritage of their government..."
- Property Taxes
- Excerpt: "End the Property Tax Now – Stop Renting Our Homes from the Government...If I am honored to serve the citizens in State House District 12, I will fight to end property taxes and go to a broad-based sales tax...Most importantly, ending the property tax is about personal liberty. If you have to pay a tax on it, you never own it. Right now, we indefinitely rent from the government. Let’s end the property tax now."
- Healthcare
- Excerpt: "Apparently, the year-long adventure to pass “landmark” federal health care legislation has ended. The Democrat-controlled Congress passed this legislation without any Republican votes, support from pro-life Democrats, and popular support. This is a step toward further government invasion and control and does little for true reform of our health care finance and delivery systems that does need to be addressed...Across the nation, states have enacted legislation exempting them from this new federal health care program and attorneys general across the country are ready to go to court over the constitutionality. I applaud Texas Attorney General Abbott for his commitment to challenge this federal encroachment...Three, this legislative district has a prominent medical presence in Lufkin, Texas, which is a key player for medical care and research for all of East Texas. East Texas needs more medical care, not more government health insurance. Doctors and nurses do medical care for people and patients. Government bureaucrats administer insurance programs...the passage of this health care legislation is pure arrogance of power. Members of Congress have exempted themselves from this law imposing the law’s onerous taxes and regulations on East Texans. The federal government, deeply in the red financially, will try to fund this law anyway...With health care, we need to promote liberty. In East Texas we need to look at ways to provide incentives for more of our smart young people to pursue a career in medicine, not a bill of discouragement."
Campaign finance summary
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Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:editor@ballotpedia.org.
2021-2022
White was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
White was assigned to the following committees:
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Corrections, Chair |
| • International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, White served on the following committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Corrections, Vice-Chair |
| • Juvenile Justice & Family Issues |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, White served on the following committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Agriculture and Livestock |
| • Corrections, Vice chair |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Texas scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2022
In 2022, the Texas State Legislature was not in session.
2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Texas State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 31.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Texas State Legislature was not in session. |
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Texas State Legislature was in its 86th legislative session from January 8 through May 27.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session. |
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Texas State Legislature was in its 85th legislative session from January 10 through May 29. A special session was held from July 18 to August 15.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session. |
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Texas State Legislature was in its 84th legislative session from January 13 through June 1.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session. |
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Texas State Legislature was in its 83rd legislative session from January 8 through May 27. Thirty minutes after the regular session ended, Governor Rick Perry called legislators back for a special session starting that evening.[14] Two additional called sessions were held from July 1 through July 30 and July 30 through August 5.[15]
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session. |
2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the Texas State Legislature was in its 82nd legislative session from January 11 through May 30. A special session was called for May 31 through June 29.[15]
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
White is a widower.
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Texas House of Representatives, "Texas House Member: Rep. White, James," accessed February 12, 2022
- ↑ Facebook, "James Earl White," accessed February 12, 2022
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2016 General Election," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2016 March Primary Election Candidate Filings by County," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History results," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current ELECTION HISTORY," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ The Libertarian Party of Texas, "2014 Texas Representative Candidate List," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ Green Party of Texas, "Greens Release Candidate List," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History," accessed February 17, 2014
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "James White's responses," April 3, 2018
- ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 13.14 13.15 13.16 13.17 13.18 13.19 13.20 13.21 13.22 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ kten.com, "Texas Lawmakers To Tackle Redistricting In Special Session," May 29, 2013
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Legislative reference Library of Texas, "Texas Legislative Sessions and Years," accessed June 13, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Texas House of Representatives District 19 2011-2022 |
Succeeded by Ellen Troxclair (R) |
 |
State of Texas Austin (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
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| Government |
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{{SU-TXH SLP 2018|Name=James White (Texas)