About

MARK WHITE was born in Henderson, Texas. He received a degree in business adminstration from Baylor University in 1962, and a law degree in 1965. The governor practiced law for four years with the Houston firm of Reynolds, Allen & Cook. He served in the Texas National Guard. His career in public service began in 1966 as an assistant Attorney General. In 1973, he was appointed secretary of state under Governor Dolph Briscoe and was elected president of the National Association of Secretaries in 1977. White became attorney general of Texas in 1979. He served as co-chair of the Federal-State Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee and was a member of the Governor’s Organized Crime Prevention Council. He was elected chair of the Southern Conference of Attorney Generals in 1981. He was elected governor of Texas in 1982. As governor, he served on the Southern Regional Education Board, Interstate Oil Compact Commission, and the Border Governors’ Association. His administration focused on education reform and economic development. He retired briefly to private life but returned to run unsuccessfully in the Democratic gubernatorial primary of 1990 against Ann Richards. He went on to become president of GeoVox Security, Inc.

Source

Texas State Library & Archives Commission

Governors of Texas, 1846-present

Governors of the American States, Commonwealths and Territories, National Governors Association, 1985.