Andrew White on Wednesday joined the as-yet uncrowded 2026 Democratic primary race for Texas governor. This is the second time the entrepreneur and son of late Democratic Texas Gov. Mark White has run for the statewide office.
“It’s time for a new approach. The best way to defeat Greg Abbott is to unite Progressives and Moderates — and invite Independents — into the Democratic Party to expand our base,” White said in Facebook post announcing his candidacy. “So, I’m running as an Independent Democrat — a leader focused on getting things done, not culture wars.”
White cited his 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur as proof of his problem-solving abilities, creativity and work ethic.
“I may not pass all the purity tests — but I’ll change the way things get done in Austin — and be laser focused on making our schools, hospitals and infrastructure the best in the nation,” he added.
White lost in the 2018 Democratic primary against Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, whom Abbott defeated in a landslide when he was elected to his second of three terms.
Among his reasons for running a second time, White cited the July 4 Texas Hill Country flood, which he said nearly took his son’s life.
Retired firefighter, cattleman and poultry producer Bobby Cole announced his candidacy in March for the Democratic primary. Retired Marine Nick Pappas and Megan Tehseldar — a teacher, mom and disability rights activist — have also joined the contest.
The last time White ran for Texas governor, he ran as a moderate.
During that campaign, White fielded criticism for his personal stance against abortion, though he pledged that as governor he would defend women’s right to choose. He also took flak for owning a company that helps border security personnel discover migrants hiding in vehicles through heartbeat detection.
White’s father served as Texas governor from 1983 to 1987. The elder White lost his bid for reelection championing the disastrous “no pass, no play” rule, which would have required high school athletes to pass all their classes to participate in sports.
Attempting to escape the pitfalls of political life, the younger White went into business instead. He served as a financial analyst in New York City, followed by a role as president of a fire and water damage restoration company before launching his own home warranty business.
When White’s father died, Abbott and his wife Cecilia attended his funeral and later invited White the governor’s mansion, which he hadn’t been in since he was a boy, the Texas Tribune reported during his last run for the office. His name was still carved in his childhood bedroom.
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