Secretary of State Jesse White won’t seek reelection — for real this time

Although he’s toyed with retiring before, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White — at 85 — says he won’t seek reelection in 2022.

White will finish his last term and won’t seek reelection, spokesman Dave Druker said Thursday. White has plenty more to do in life “beyond being secretary of state,” Druker said.

“He enjoys working with the Tumblers and young people, and he’s going to stay involved in charitable events,” Druker said, referring to the Jesse White Tumbling Team, which White founded in 1959.

White has been Illinois Secretary of State since 1999 — and won all 102 counties in victories in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014. His last term is a record sixth term.

White became the state’s longest-serving secretary of state on May 30, 2014.

He also said in 2016 that he would not seek reelection in 2018 — then, he changed his mind.

Politico’s Illinois Playbook first reported White’s decision to not seek reelection in 2022.

Under White, Illinois’ organ and tissue donor program has become one of the largest in the country. His office said White also strengthened DU

Secretary of State Jesse White (red cap) watches members of his Tumbling Team jump over then-Ald. Deb Mell (33rd) at a CPS back-to-school party in 2016.

laws, changed the truck driver licensing program and overhauled teen driving guidelines, which resulted in a decrease in traffic fatalities and drunken driving deaths.

Before becoming secretary of state, White was Cook County recorder of deeds and served 16 years in the Illinois General Assembly.

He played seven seasons of minor-league baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization, followed by a 33-year career as teacher and administrator with Chicago Public Schools.

White was an Army paratrooper and member of the Illinois National Guard and Reserve.

At the Cook County Democratic Party’s slating Thursday, many county committeemen were shocked, though happy for the longtime secretary of state.

“Holy moly,” said State Sen. Robert Martwick. “A guy who has served as long and has had such a distinguished career as he has has earned whatever he wants. God bless the man, he’s earned it.”

Former county chairman Joe Berrios called White a “wonderful representative” who “took that office and made it one of the best in the world.”

“Kudos to him,” Berrios said. “He’s not really going to retire because he’s going to be with the tumblers day in and day out.”

Ald. Roderick Sawyer said White has had a “great career and I’m proud of him and the service he’s provided,” while Ald. Walter Burnett, who counts White as a mentor, said he had nothing to say about the news right now.

Fifth Ward Ald. Leslie Hairston said White has been “an excellent secretary of state.”

“He’s been a public servant for most of his adult life,” Hairston said. “If he wants to do something else my hat’s off to him. He’s served the people well.”