State Rep. James White, R-Hillister, spoke On The women’s [In]Justice Day rally on the south steps of the Capitol on March 8, 2019.

State Rep. James White, R-Hillister, introduced Wednesday That He is working for agriculture commissioner, marking The primary primary primary opponent for incumbent Sid Miller.

“The combination of my conagencyed conservative doc, expertise on agriculture factors, and dedication to integrity and ethics makes me The biggest candidate to steer This vital agency again Inside the biggest course,” White said in a information launch.

The announcement made official a transfer White had been teasing since he introduced earlier this month that he Wouldn’t search reelection to the Texas House after six time durations in office. The one Black Republican in the Legislature, White chairs The house Houseland Safety and Public Safety Committee. He beforehand served on the Agriculture and Livestock Committee.

Miller thought-about working for governor in 2022, difficult fellow Republican Greg Abbott, however introduced earlier this month that he would Instead run for reelection as agriculture commissioner. Miller gained a second time period in 2018 after dealing with two primary challengers and prevailing with 56% of the vote.

Miller Did not immediately Reply to a request for Contact upon White’s candidacy.

In his announcement, White provided thinly veiled contrasts with Miller over his private controversies By way of the years, which embrace spreading pretend information on Fb and using taxpayer dollars For two journeys involving private actions, collectively with getting a medical injection in Oklahoma referred to as the “Jesus Shot.” The Texas Rangers investigated the journeys, and Travis County prosecutors finally opted in the direction of bringing felony costs.

White said in the information launch that Texas “wants competent, statewide leaders.”

Former President Donald Trump might play A process in the race. Miller is an enthusiastic ally of Trump, and a information launch saying White’s advertising campaign forged him as an “early assister of … Trump, serving as an advisory board member for Black Voices for Trump.”

For his half, White has acquired assist from House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, and completely different colleagues Inside the home, Who’ve urged him to run for agriculture commissioner.

White has recurrented the East Texas district since 2011 when he ran as a Tea Celebration favourite and ousted longtime Democratic incumbent Jim McReynolds. His current time period expires in January 2023. White has expressed assist for time period limits on politicians.

As a state recurrentative, White earned a popularity as a staunch conservative, however was regarded by activists and lobbyists as a cordial regulationmaker who listened to enter even from these with whom he disagreed.

In 2017, White was appointed chairman of The house Corrections Committee by then-Speaker Joe Straus, an appointment he stored for The subsequent session beneath Straus’ successor, Dennis Bonnen.

In 2021, Phelan tapped him to chair The house Houseland Safety and Public Safety Committee, the place he oversaw passage of a invoice that eradicated the requirement for Texans To buy a license To primarytain handweapons if the individuals Aren’t prohibited by state or federal regulation from possessing weapons.

White is most acknowledged for his work on legal guidelines round incarcerated people, notably juveniles. In 2015, he authored a invoice to defelonyize truancy offenses for juveniles, which advocates said led to enhanced school attendance and educational achievement the placeas Eradicating a coverage that punished youngsters unreasonably for elements outdoors of their administration.

White additionally sponsored a invoice Inside the home that imposed a felony penalty on People who have been charged with improper sexual conduct with juveniles in custody, and ancompletely different that restricted entry to the confidential data of youth in the juvenile justice information system.