Time is money. And newly elected State Representative Frank White says time spent with family is the best investment one can make. Commuting through traffic in Dallas, Texas isn’t.
In late 2009, White and his wife Stephanie, both lawyers practicing in Dallas, learned she was pregnant with twins and the happy couple would enter parenthood full-speed ahead.
“It forced us into rethinking where we wanted to raise our children,” White says. “We didn’t want to be lawyers in Dallas with no extended family and long commutes.”
White spent his childhood surrounded by family – grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, and wanted the same rich experience with extended family as part of their daily lives. It didn’t take him long to make up his mind about what to do. He took a job as chief financial officer and general counsel at his wife’s family business – a group of car dealerships – and he and Stephanie moved to Pensacola in early 2010.
After twin boys, they added a third son, who is now four years old. And they spend their days surrounded by their own extended family on a regular basis.
White’s mother was a high school English teacher, his father an engineer for the federal government. And though his family has a tradition of community service, he is the first to run for political office. His first experience in the political world was serving as student body president in both high school and college. And in Florida, he served as an appointee of Governor Scott to the Florida Development Finance Corporation, and as a member of the Pensacola State College Board of Trustees before throwing his hat into the ring as a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives.
When asked if he has a hero, he doesn’t hesitate: “As a Texan, my hero from literature is Captain Gus McCrae from Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. He didn’t lack for self-confidence yet he was also warm, wise, generous, and kind. While he was unmatched with a horse and a gun, he also knew the limits of his abilities, and he could size up a situation quickly. He was never afraid to take a measured risk.”
White is also a fan of scripture. His favorite Bible verse is Mark 10, verses 43-45:
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
The passage is all about public servanthood, of lowering one’s self and putting others first. And it’s also the creed of White’s first political boss, Congressman Mac Thornberry, who won election back in 1995. White says Thornberry lives by the philosophy that you can accomplish anything so long as you don’t care who gets the credit.
Tallahassee has been an eye-opener for White, though. He says he’s been surprised by the vast scope of issues that come through his office.
“In addition to the fast pace of committee weeks, which can be a challenge, you have to do your homework – consistently and diligently. My top priority for this first legislative session is to make a meaningful contribution during policy debates while learning as much as possible.”
STAT SHEET: District 2 – State Representative Frank White
Spouse: Stephanie (married 11 years)
Children: 3 (three boys, including twins)
Hometown: Amarillo, TX
High School: Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Texas
College / Degree: Southern Methodist University – Majored in History and Business, later earned a Juris Doctor and MBA from SMU
Favorite Sports Teams: SMU Mustangs football / basketball and Dallas Cowboys football
Hobbies / Interests: Spending time with family, running, skiing, and reading. I also listen to a lot of podcasts and audiobooks.
Music: I like a lot of different types music. My favorites are George Strait and James McMurtry.
District 2 Features and Issues: We’re proud of our beautiful beaches, our historic and vibrant downtown, and our ties to the military. Pensacola is the “Cradle of Naval Aviation” and home of the Blue Angels.