White running for circuit judge seat

Escambia County (Ala.) District Judge Jeff White has announced he will be a candidate for the circuit judge seat being vacated by retiring Circuit Judge Bert Rice.

White, 53, said he will seek the Republican nomination for the circuit seat in the June 5 Republican Primary.

"I think I have something to offer based on my experience," White said. "I'm a native of Escambia County and I understand the complex issues facing our judicial system."

A 1983 graduate of Flomaton High School, White graduated from the University of South Alabama with a bachelor's degree in communications. In 1994 he graduated the Jones School of Law in Montgomery and received his license to practice law in 1995.

Prior to completing his post graduate degree in law, White enlisted in the Alabama National Guard and was commissioned second lieutenant in 1987.

White spent nine months in Saudi Arabia from 1990-91 as a platoon leader during Desert Storm and was in Baghdad, Iraq from 2004 to 2005 as a logistics officer of a military police battalion during Iraqi Freedom.

White spent 26 years in the National Guard and retired in 2008 as a lieutenant colonel. He is a veteran of operations Desert Storm, Noble Eagle and Iraqi Freedom.

White began his legal career in Escambia County working in private practice with Brewton attorney Earnie White.

When he got back from Iraq in 2005 he opened his own private practice and served as an assistant district attorney from 2008 to 2014.

On July 1, 2014, White was appointed as Escambia County's district judge and was elected to the position in November, 2016. White's current term as district judge expires in 2022.

White feels his leadership experience in the military and judicial experience make him qualified to be the next circuit judge.

As a sitting judge now, he said the obstacles he sees ahead are the lack of resources, both financial and with staff across the spectrum.

"We have seen a big increase in cases in both district and circuit court," White said. "It will take innovative approaches to manage the increased workload with fewer resources."

White said he'd like to see the Alabama Legislature fully fund the judicial system, but said more focus is needed in the juvenile court system in an effort to stop behavioral issues before they turn into more serious crimes.

"This is my home," White said. "I grew up here, my parents grew up here and my children and grandchildren are here. The only promise I give is to be fair and follow the law. I think that's what anybody would want."

White and his wife Christina have three daughters, Jena, Brayden and Brantly and four grandchildren.

"It's been an honor to serve the people of Escambia County as district judge," he said. "It takes a team effort to make the court system work and we have a good team in place. I want people to look at my record and see that I have spent my life working to better our country and our county."