Andrew White Will Get Out of Controversial Border Security Firm If He Wins Dem Governor Runoff

AUSTIN — Andrew White, who is battling Lupe Valdez for the top Democratic spot on the ballot in November, said Tuesday he would divest from a border security company he owns if he becomes the party's gubernatorial candidate.Geovox Security Inc., which White has owned for two decades, sells technology that can find people hiding in vehicles. White has said it is used "to protect people's lives" and make sure they are not suffocating as they are smuggled into the country. Critics of White and the company have said he profits off the suffering of immigrants. Even after Jolt, a group that mobilizes young Latino voters, endorsed White over his Latina opponent, the group's the executive director said it was concerned about his ownership."We see Andrew White's border security company as a liability, not as an asset," Cristina Tzintzun said in an appearance on the Texas Standard public radio program. "[We] would encourage him if he ultimately does become the gubernatorial candidate to divest from his border security company since he would be in a position to oversee the state's budget and priorities along the borders and its expenses."White responded affirmatively before the end of the day, telling The Dallas Morning News in an email that he agreed and is working to make that happen."That shows the importance of young Latinos being engaged in this election," Tzintzun told The News. "When they use their voice and their vote and come together they can move the candidates to do better by our community."White's statement is the latest result to come out of a voter forum Jolt held Sunday, demonstrating the unexpected influence the 1-year-old organization has wielded in the May 22 Democratic runoff for governor. At the "Jolt the Vote" event, Valdez struggled to answer a question about the Dallas County Sheriff's office's compliance with immigration authorities during her tenure. She issued a 700-word mea culpa Monday night, apologizing for not tackling the question directly and laying out her record on immigration.  Continue reading...