Lufkin, Texas — Many in East Texas may not know the name James White, but the state representative candidate for District 12 hopes to change all that by election day, on November 4, 2010.

White, a native Texan from Houston and self-proclaimed “lifelong Republican,” threw his hat in the race against incumbent Jim McReynolds (D-Lufkin).

“I’m not just trying to ‘catch the wind’ and ride the mood of the public right now,” White said. “This is who I’ve always been.”

White graduated from public school system in Houston in 1982 and went on to study political science and military science at Prairie View A&M University. Upon graduation from PVAMU he was commissioned as an infantry officer in the United State Army and served for six years.

He has also received his masters in Education Administration and is working on a doctorate in political science from the University of Houston .

White’s desire to live in rural Texas drew him out of the state’s largest city in 2005 and onto a small farm in Hillister, just south of Woodville in Tyler County . His desire for politics and making a difference in his community wasn’t something that could be avoided, either, he said.

“Nine times out of 10, your gut will lead you in the right decision. The gut feeling came for me about a year ago,” White said. “It’s a deliberate decision, because you don’t want to waste people’s time. People want to see a good sermon, not just hear a good one. Listening to people complain about how their government is not responsive and accountable, I thought it was just time to get in.”

Now working as a school teacher in Woodville, White said he’s right where he wants to be.

“From being an infantry officer, most of your time is spent training other troops, so the field of education was a natural fit,” White said. “I’m doing what I want to do right now — teaching government and economics.”

His résumé closely resembles that of his opponent — honorably discharged military veteran, historian, public school teacher and cattleman — but White said that’s where the similarities stop.

“I live in the district, work in the district and worship in the district, and we think that’s important. We’re not going to use this entire election cycle to necessarily talk about where people go to sleep, but we will talk about what we think a lot of Texans are concerned about and that’s people who try to game the system,” White said. White makes the accusation that his opponent does not actually reside within District 12.

“I think it smacks of arrogance,” he said. “We plan on doing something about that.”

McReynolds responded to the allegations on Friday. “I reside legally in Angelina County ,” McReynolds said. “This issue came up several years ago when we re-districted. I made the decision to reside in Angelina County , and I talked to all the appropriate people. I assure you it’s completely legal.”

White, the Republican from Woodville,  said he wants people not only to know what he says is the truth about McReynolds, but also what he plans to do in office.

“If people are given enough information, they will make the right decision. We want to have a discussion at the local level about economic growth, not just prison beds,”

White said in reference to McReynolds’ service as chair of the House Corrections Committee. “If we talk about these issues, not only will we succeed, but we’ll also do East Texas a good service.”

McReynolds described himself as “Mr. East Texas.”

“Serving as chair of the House Corrections Committee is only part of my life,”

McReynolds said. “I’m also on the Appropriations Committee, and I also work on local issues. I am East Texas . I’ve been here all my life.”

Standing on three principles, James White wants to focus his campaign on the “Three Es”: (1) economic development and growth, (2) education and (3) engagement in the political process, which he says goes back to the lack of electoral representation in rural East Texas .

“Start with these three things and keep it simple,” White said. “If you can get this economy looking a little better, people will find their way around everything else a little better. I’m not saying I want to specifically go in and say I want to do A, B and C, but here are the principles and values I believe in. If issues come up in Austin , I want to know how they fit into economic development, education and political engagement. How does it fit into the values of East Texas ? And if that issue doesn’t fit in with those values, then I can’t be on board.”

However, White said he will aim specifically at teacher quality, bringing congressional representation to the area and letting the rest of the state know that East Texas is open for business.

The general election is November 4, 2010.