James Earl White, born July 16, 1964, in Houston, Texas, is a Republican who served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He represented District 19 from 2013 to 2022, after initially serving District 12 from 2011 to 2012. Notable as the sole African-American Republican in the Texas Legislature, White was a rock-ribbed conservative advocating criminal justice reform, including updates to the Sandra Bland Act and juvenile justice improvements like truancy law reforms. He chaired the House Corrections Committee and Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee, pushing permitless handgun carry legislation. Awards include Texas Monthly’s “2019 Best Legislator” and perfect pro-life ratings. White resigned August 11, 2022, to become executive director of the Texas Funeral Services Commission, later joining Texas Southern University as vice president of government affairs in 2024.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated with honors from Prairie View A&M University ; M.S. and Ph.D. in political science from University of Houston.
• Early Career: U.S. Army Infantry officer ; public school educator teaching history, government, and economics; high school coach.
• Political Roles: Harris County Republican Party precinct chair and senatorial district chair ; elected to Texas House in 2010 Tea Party wave, defeating incumbent; served on committees including Corrections, Homeland Security, Juvenile Justice, and Redistricting.