Mark White

Mark White (born March 17, 1940) is an American politician, lawyer and former governor of Texas.

Born in Henderson, Texas, Mark White attended Baylor University, graduating with a law degree in 1965. After spending time practicing law in a private practice in Houston, White served as the state's Assistant Attorney General. In 1969, White was appointed to be the state's Secretary of State under Governor Dolph Briscoe.

White served as Secretary of State until 1977, when he resigned to run for state Attorney General, where he served until 1983. He ran for governor in 1982 against incumbent Republican Bill Clements, defeating him on concerns about Clements' poor economic numbers during his tenure. However, four years later, White was defeated by Clements, who opted for a second, nonconsecutive term.

White served as governor during Texas' sesquicentennial in 1986 and oversaw a number of the celebrations concerning that anniversary. White attempted to run for governor again in 1990, but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Ann Richards, who was eventually elected governor.