Jesse White

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Jesse White (born June 23, 1934, in Alton, Illinois) is the current Democratic Secretary of State of Illinois. He is the first African-American to hold this office.

Education

  • Bachelor's degree, Alabama State University (1957)

Early life and career

Immediately following graduation, White served in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army for two years starting in 1957. In 1959, he founded the Jesse White Tumbling Team and played professional baseball with the Chicago Cubs organization, though he never appeared with the major league franchise. White was inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in May 1995 as well as the Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame the following month. His alma mater, where he played both baseball and basketball, placed him in there Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

Political career

White was first elected to the Illinois State Legislature in 1974, maintaining his position there for the next sixteen years. In 1992, he served as Recorder of Deeds in Cook County, Illinois and then re-elected four years later.

Controversies

ACORN/SEIU

The conservative Illinois Review posted an article in September 2009 stating that of the nearly $12 million Illinois political campaign contributions embattled ACORN/SEIU has made over the years, Illinois State Board of Elections records show that Secretary of State Jesse White has received a grand total of $192, 427.[1]

Antoin 'Tony' Rezko

Rezko, a generous contributor, fundraiser, and long time friend to President Barack Obama as well as closely associated with disgraced former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich, was convicted on several counts of fraud and bribery in 2008. The embattled campaign fund-raiser covered his bases on the state level as well. In June 2001, Rezko made a $4,348.17 In-Kind contribution to Citizens for Jesse White.[2]

Electoral history

1998 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary[3]
Candidates Percentage
Jesse White (D) 55.8%
McCarthy (D) 44.2%
Total votes 100%
1998 Race for Secretary of State - General Election[4]
Candidates Percentage
Jesse White (D) 55.5%
Salvi (R) 42.5%
Millatti (Reform) 2%
Total votes 100%
  • 2002 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary
    • Jesse White ran unopposed
2002 Race for Secretary of State - General Election[5]
Candidates Percentage
Jesse White (D) 67.9%
Cohn (R) 29.9%
Beauchamp (Libertarian) 2.2%
Total votes 100%
  • 2006 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary
    • Jesse White ran unopposed
2006 Race for Secretary of State - General Election[6]
Candidates Percentage
Jesse White (D) 62.8%
Rutherford (R) 33%
Peterson (Green) 4.2%
Total votes 100%

Contact Info

Secretary of State Jesse White
213 State Capitol
Springfield, IL 62756

Telephone: 1-800-252-8980

External links

References

  1. Illinois Review "ACORN/SEIU donated thousands to IL statewide and law enforcement officials" 22 Sept. 2009
  2. Illinois Review "Rezko's Illinois Friends: Exhibit A" 29 Jan. 2008
  3. Illinois State Board of Elections - 1998 Democratic Primary Election Results
  4. Illinois State Board of Elections - 1998 General Election Results
  5. Illinois State Board of Elections - 2002 General Election Results
  6. Illinois State Board of Elections - 2006 General Election Results

Portions of this article were adapted from Wikipedia.

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