Andrew White

Andrew White graduated from Lamar High School in Houston in 1991. White earned a bachelor's degree in religious studies from the University of Virginia in 1994 and a master's degree in business administration from University of Texas in 2003. White's career experience includes working in businesses dealing with fire and water damage restoration and serving as president of Sweat Equity Partners, an entrepreneur-led group of companies. White founded Allied Warranty and Lone Star Repair, which provide home warranty coverage to Texans.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a 30 year entrepreneur running as an Independent Democrat to change the way things get done in Austin. We have to work together if we are going to solve our most complicated problems. I'm a team builder and ready for the job.

Greg Abbott is undefeated running against progressive Democrats. He beat Wendy, Lupe and even Beto. If we want to end Greg's war on women, immigrants and, even, public education, It's time to try something. I'm a balanced candidate who can win in November and actually make progress on our most critical issues. That's why I'm running.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I'm the best chance Democrats have to beat Greg Abbott. It's no longer about purity tests. It's about winning. Nothing else matters.Schools. Hospitals and Infrastructure. I'll build the best team to solve these problems without raising taxes. This is what the governor should be focused on, not performative culture wars...As an Independent Democrat, I'll unite Progressives and Moderates and invite Independents into our party because we have to make the 'Big Tent' even bigger if we are going to win a statewide race in November.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Schools. Hospitals and Infrastructure. I come from a family of teachers: my mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and wife are all teachers. My father was former Governor Mark White, who did more for Texas public schools than any other governor in my lifetime. Our schools are 47th in the nation. We must do better. As Governor, we will.

Its time to make healthcare affordable in Texas. I'll expand Medicaid so more Texans can get access to healthcare, and I'll end the war on women that Gov Abbott began. I'll also work with leading entrepreneurs, like Mark Cuban, to re-design the way we do healthcare in Texas. It's time for a new approach. Its time for affordable healthcare.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I'm a Christian, so I look to Jesus and my relationship with him for direction in my life. It's hard to understand sometimes, especially if you are not a Christian. But I believe that Jesus was the son of God. He actually died and was dead for three days. Then, he actually, physically, rose from the grave.

Because of that, Jesus is alive and is available for each of us to know. The historical evidence for his resurrection is strong, but the real evidence is the life-changing relationship that I've had with him since I was 16 years old. I've got too many stories to tell about how he has guided me, saved me and how he loves me.

I honestly don't know how anyone can live in this world without the hope that comes from knowing a savior like Jesus.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

"Do right and risk the consequences" This is a Sam Houston quote and its how I will lead as governor. The best decisions for Texans are not always politically popular. For example, the seat belt law was very unpopular in the 1980s when it was passed, but today we take it for granted even though it says many thousands of lives.

This means taking care of our kids by improving our schools, taking care of our families by making Texas affordable again and taking care of our infrastructure by investing in the future

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Team building, expectation setting and holding politicians accountable. It's time for a new culture in Austin. We absolutely have to start working together -- Republicans and Democrats -- because hospitals don't care which party you vote for and flood prevention equipment doesn't ask if you are a Republican or a Democrat.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The governor who united both political parties to address the most important issues of our day: schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Ronald Reagan being shot. I was in 2nd grade. My mom picked me up from school and told me what happened. The world stood still. As a child, I knew something terrible had happened.

I also remember the Space Shuttle Challenger exploding. I was in 8th grade. We watched it from our classroom. I hate memories like these but this is life, and there are no guarantees. We are all in this together.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I sold lemonade in my neighborhood outside of Austin. Then I made and sold peanut brittle using a recipe that my grandmother taught me. I sold it to my neighbors for a few years. Its the best.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Mere Christianity" by CS Lewis. I read this as a 16 year old when I was trying to figure out what Christianity was all about. Several mentors were patient with me as I asked all sorts of questions. One of them gave me a copy of this book.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

3 years ago, I was drinking too much alcohol. A lot too much. I gave it up and am not looking back. I have zero temptation to drink again because I know what alcohol really is at its core: its a lie. Alcohol doesn't make things better; it makes them worse.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

Education and Healthcare are the top two budget items for the governor, and as such, this is where I will invest my time and energy. No more performative culture wars . It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

The governor should work very closely with the Lt Gov and state Legislature during the budgeting process.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

I wold use the line item veto as much as needed. The fact is that lobbyists and legislators are much too cozy and a lot of what gets by the Legislature should not get signed into law.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

They should be working as responsible and respectable co-workers exactly like most professionals do in the every day jobs. Unfortunately, today, the culture is the opposite.

What do you love most about your state?

The people. The land. And, definitely the food (I'm thinking about you chili-con-queso)

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

We must build the best schools in the nation. We cannot accept 47th ranked schools if we want to maintain our advantage with attracting new businesses to our state and prepare our kids for the challenges of the next 50 years.

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

Natural catastrophes and budget failures.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I'm running as an Independent Democrat, as such, I've not asked anyone for, and am not expecting any, endorsements.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

We need Independent Commissions for re-districting. Politicians cannot be trusted to design their own districts. I'd work with other governors to pass similar legislation across the country. This is critical to protecting our democracy.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean to you?

The governor sets the culture. Greg Abbott is a divider. I'll be a uniter. Greg Abbott is a culture warrior. I'll be a problem solver. Greg Abbott is a life long politician who only cares about the most extreme wing of his MAGA party. I'll care about ALL Texans.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

On the morning of July 4th, 2025, my wife and I received a bunch of scary text messages. Our 18 year old son was a camp counselor in Hunt, Texas. He was in the worst hit cabin, and it was surrounded by 9 feet of water and a wall had caved in.

We jumped in our car and hurried that way. Thankfully, he was alive. We found out that he and his 3 co-counselors had saved their 30 campers ages 7,8 and 9 by swimming them into the cabin's rafters. Those boys are my heroes.

Unfortunately, a lot of parents were not so fortunate.

What I found out later was that Kerr County had asked the state for flood detection equipment for years, and for years, they had been turned down.

Greg Abbott is great at showing up for the press conferences AFTER the disaster, but he does nothing to prepare us BEFORE.

This is why I'm running for governor.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

30 years as an entrepreneur has taught me one lesson: it takes a team to tackle any complicated problem, and leadership is set by example. The culture starts at the top. I'm ready to change the way we do things in Austin.

What role should your state’s government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

Open for business, but with an eye towards protecting our existing utility user rate base and capacity. We don't want new AI users to drive up the cost of electricity for everyday Texans.

What legislation would you want to sign related to election administration in your state?

Independent commissions for re-districting. Ranked choice voting for primary elections, so we don't end up having to vote 3 times in an election cycle. Term limits for all public offices, and a 75 year-old age limit for all public offices.

Campaign websiteWhite's campaign website stated the following:Why I’m RunningTexas Isn’t Broken. Our Politics Are.Only 3 out of 10 Texans vote in the March primary. That means the loudest extremes choose who ends up on the November ballot. (See: Trump vs. Kamala.)I’m running as an Independent Democrat.I’ll unite Progressives, Moderates and Independents to expand the Democratic base, which is what it’s going to take to beat Greg Abbott.It’s time for the Independent Majority to show up.Let’s prove that the 8 million Texans who vote in November care enough to vote in March too. Because if even a fraction of us show up, we tip the balance — and take our state back.Find me on the Democratic ballot — and get an Independent voice.Because the silent majority can’t stay silent forever.It’s your move.— Andrew White's campaign website (January 13, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.