Don White never aspired to be a politician, but 19 years ago he walked into the Senate chamber in Harrisburg as the new senator from the 41st District. Now, after announcing his retirement in the midst of his fifth term as a state senator, White is now in his final weeks in office.
In a wide-ranging interview with Renda Broadcasting General Manager Mark Bertig, the senator details what went into his decision to step away from political life and remembers his time in Harrisburg. He contrasts what life was like as a new senator a decade-and-a-half ago with the atmosphere at the state capitol today, and talks about his accomplishments and disappointments as a senator.
The 68-year-old senator was born in Kittanning and has lived for most of his life in Indiana. After a successful career in insurance, he was first elected in 2000, succeeding longtime Senator Patrick Stapleton. An Army veteran, White is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking & Insurance and serves on five other Senate committees: Environmental Resources & Energy; Labor & Industry, Law & Justice; Rules & Executive Nominations; and State Government. He is also a member of the PENNVEST Board of Directors, and his work with that authority is one of his standout achievements, bringing millions of dollars to the 41st district in water and sanitary sewer funding.
