Integrity.  Independence.

Darren and his dog Trixie at the 2007 Doggie, Dash and Dawdle.

Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White brings a remarkable record of public service to the race for U.S. Congress. A decisive leader, White has demonstrated the independence and the integrity it takes to bring real change to Washington. 

For more than two decades, Darren White has been fighting crime on the front-lines.  As Sheriff, White has waged war against gangs, sex offenders and fugitives from justice.  White has also made reducing DWIs a priority, and is an outspoken advocate for tougher penalties against drunk drivers.

White’s dedication to service took him to New Orleans following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.  White led a team of deputies and firefighters to rescue survivors in the days following the disaster. White calls this one of his proudest moments in public service.

White’s independent, pull-no-punches style has connected with voters across party lines. White was comfortably elected Bernalillo County Sheriff in 2002 and re-elected with 63% of the vote in 2006.  

Darren doing rescue work in New Orleans, Louisiana following hurricane Katrina.

Sheriff White's honors include the Jefferson Award from the coveted American Institute for Public Service in 1983. In 2006, following an eight-month search of more than 1,400 business, political, and civic leaders, the Aspen Institute recognized Sheriff White as one of the nation's top 24 young elected officials and selected him for a new fellowship program honoring public leaders.  The Aspen Institute identified White as a "true rising star" in American politics.

Prior to his election to Sheriff, White served as Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Public Safety under Governor Gary Johnson.  Demonstrating his independence, White resigned his Cabinet position after Governor Johnson began advocating the legalization of drugs. 

White started his career as a street cop on the Houston police force and later joined the Albuquerque Police Department. Before entering law enforcement, White proudly served in the U.S. Army as a member of the elite 82nd Airborne Division. 

Darren White was born in Suffern, New York in 1963 and moved to New Mexico in 1987.  White holds a B.A. in Management from the University of Phoenix .

White is married with one son.