Greg White of Andalusia has announced he will seek election to the District 92 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives, which includes the eastern portion of Escambia County and all of Covington County.

House Speaker Seth Hammett currently holds the seat, but has announced he will not seek re-election next year.

White, an accountant, is the former chairman of the Covington County Commission and a Republican. He said that with Hammett’s retirement, it is critical to have someone elected to the House who can work with others to secure projects for the local area.

“I believe that the good working relationships I’ve developed in Montgomery and with our U.S. Congressional delegation during my 13 and a half years of public service will be vital to our success in economic development and obtaining state and federal funds for projects in our district,” White said.

He said he has a proven record of working “across the aisle.”

“During my tenure as chairman of the Covington County Commission, the issue of Democrat or Republican never entered into the discussion of what was best for our county,” he said. “I also have this same record of bi-partisanship in my involvement with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, where we worked together across the state to improve county government.”

White said he looks forward to visiting all areas of the district and hearing issues that concern voters.

“It is obvious in these tough economic times that government will need to become more effective and carefully consider what its mission is,” White said. “I believe that my years of service in local government give me a perspective that will allow me to influence these discussions and debates to the benefit of the working men and women of Escambia and Covington counties.”

He said he has a strong record of supporting education systems in the county, and he will continue his commitment to education in the legislature.

“My interest is in looking for better ways to utilize our general fund and education dollars,” he said.

White will be subject to the Republican primary election on June 1, 2010. Gov. Fob James appointed him to chair the Covington County Commission in 1995, and he was elected three times to the post.

A native of Covington County, he and his wife, Jan, have lived in the district since 1980. Their daughter, Kelley, also lives in the district.

He is a founding board member of Sav-A-Life of Covington County, the Andalusia City Schools Foundation and Crossover Ministries. He is a member of Southside Baptist Church and Civitan.