James White
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
James White
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
Agriculture Commissioner
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Houston, Houston, Ph.D., 2012
Prairie View A& M University, Prairie View, M.Ed, 2000
Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, B.S., 1986
WORK & MILITARY
United States Army, Captain, 1986-92
Golden Pines, Forestry, 2011-present
Woodville ISD, Teacher, 2007-2011
Livingston ISD, Teacher, 2005-2007
AFFILIATIONS
Hillister Baptist Church, Member, National Rifle Association
Member, Texas Republican Party, Member
Boy Scouts of America, Member, Sons of Confederate Veterans
Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Member
Texas Farm Bureau, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 2011-present
Precinct Chair, Harris County, 1995-2003
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Georgia - State Rep, 1992
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2020-21
100%
2021
100%
2012
90%
2021
89%, 86% (cum.)†
2021
85%
2021
84%
2019
81%
2021
68%, 67% (cum.)†
2021
62%
2020-21
|100%
2021
|100%
2012
|90%
2021
|89%, 86% (cum.)†
2021
|85%
2021
|84%
2019
|81%
2021
|68%, 67% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2019
60%, 34% (cum.)†
2021
31%
2019
11%
2019
F
2019
0%
2019
|60%, 34% (cum.)†
2021
|31%
2019
|11%
2019
|F
2019
|0%
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (5)
Charles Perry
Drew Springer
Dustin Burrows
Matt Schaefer
Mayes Middleton
OTHER (3)
HRBC, Houston's Premier Business Coalition
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
Texas Forestry Association FORPAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (9)
FORPAC (Texas Forestry Assn)
Texans For Lawsuit Reform PAC
Mayes Middleton
Briscoe Cain
Ben Leman
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (34)
Angie Chen Button (2017)
Barbara Cargill (2015)
Brian Babin (2020)
Charles Lee Perry (2015)
Cole Hefner (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (28)
Black Republican PAC (2014)
Brian Babin (2014)
Conservative Republicans of Texas (2012)
Dade Phelan (2015)
Dan Patrick (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2020)
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2020)
Communication Workers of America (2020)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2016)
International Union of Operating Engineers (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
The candidate is ranked in this Rice University analysis of 2021 Texas State House members.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Strongly Agree - I have co/joint authored legislation that is current state statute prohibiting taxpayer-funding of all abortion providers
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
At the state level we should reform to a broad-base consumption tax from the current burdensome property tax system to ensure lasting, substantive reduction in taxes for our constituents.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Let's eliminate all government subsidies and implement zero-based budgeting.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None! Spiritually, morally, and constitutionally, there are no circumstances that legitimate closing churches. They should have never been shut down by the government during the pandemic. I was proud to vote for the Texas Freedom to Worship Act last session to stop this from happening in the future and author and sponsor legislation this is now law protecting Texans right to in-person visitation with a religious counselor on the patient's or resident's request during a public health emergency.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None, vaccines should be voluntary.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We have got to end the Biden Administration's efforts to implement leftist training and social programs in our military. We have to ensure we maintain the world's strongest military presence both through properly trained soldiers and the latest technological innovations. We must remain steadfast in our alliance with Israel. Above all the United States must regain its moral authority in order to be that “Shining Light” on a hill as an example of a Judeo-Christian country.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
As Chair of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee I facilitated a substantial increase in border security funding to $3 billion from $800 million in order complete the building the wall
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
From a baseline perspective, those who go through the citizenship process to become Americans. However, at this point in our history, we substantially can limit our immigration flows to those who are sincerely fleeing religious persecution along with those who are facing recriminations because they have helped our troops overseas pursuing our national interest. Otherwise, we need to reduce legal immigration flows and stop all illegal immigration. I am proud of my record of tripling border security and opposing the magnets that encourage illegal immigration.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Even the Bible has commentary regarding the three branches of government: Isaiah 33:22. Only our Almighty, who with grace brought His Son, Jesus, into the world for a sacrifice for our sins, can hold all three branches of power due to His Sovereignty and Power. Because of our fallen nature, we divide these branches among three institutions, with checks on the powers of the branches.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am first and foremost a Christian and I allow my belief in God to guide all my decisions both as a private citizen and elected official.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I co-sponsored and voted in favor of photo ID legislation that is current law in Texas
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
More frequent frequent and inclusive forensic audits; only use paper ballots; use no foreign manufactured voting equipment or software and election equipment from an entity in which has ownership in foreign hands;
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No! As a proud American black man I have a unique perspective on this issue. This is truly the most non-racial period of American history and this development is the norm not an exception. In fact, the threat to domestic security is the attempt for racial elites to impose alien and foreign ideologies of critical race theory which in fact attempt to impose racialism and division.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect the life and liberty of its citizens
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
I have 10 years of public votes in the Texas House of Representatives that demonstrate a proven conservative record
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I am proud of my conservative record of fighting to: 1. Secure the border, eliminate sanctuary cities, and stop the flow of illegal immigration. 2. Lower our property taxes, including legislation to cut property taxes by $5 billion 3. Champion the Second Amendment, including serving as the first committee chairman in Texas history to joint author and pass Constitutional Carry out of committee 4. Protect unborn life, including banning the practice of dismemberment abortions, prohibiting abortions after 10 weeks, and defunding Planned Parenthood 5. Election Integrity, co-authored and supported crucial legislation to protect the integrity of our elections, stop ballot harvesting, and make it harder to cheat
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
During the 2021 legislation session I served as Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety. This committee has oversight of Texas law enforcement. I ensured that all attacks against qualified immunity that came to my committee died
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None, in fact I have been the only House Committee chair to advance Constitutional carry to the House floor and eventually to passage into law.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
