Dear Escondido,
Our community is at a crossroads. Crime is on the rise, the homeless issue isn't improving, and small businesses are struggling. We need new leadership that can bring people together and get Escondido back on track.
Over the past five years, It has been my honor to serve the families and students of our community on the Escondido Union High School Board. I have worked with my colleagues to make sure our teachers feel empowered and supported, our district is operated in a fiscally responsible way, and our students are always put first.
I never expected to run for Mayor. When I was young, I suffered from my own poor decision making. I ended up in the foster care system and was even homeless for a period of time. I overcame those obstacles, started my own business, and have been able to create a good life for my family right here in Escondido.
I am running for Mayor to help more people like myself overcome their obstacles and embrace the opportunity of our community.
I look forward to meeting with you in the coming year to discuss my vision and your thoughts on how we can improve Escondido. If you would like to talk, please do not hesitate to reach out and email me at Dane@DaneMWhite.com
About Dane
Dane White is a fifth generation Escondido resident. After attending Escondido High School and Escondido Charter, Dane decided to pursue a career in the trades rather than taking a typical college route. Dane began his career as a construction worker and eventually worked his way up to Project Manager. Dane currently works as a small business owner. His company, WhiteWerks Flooring LLC, provides hard surface flooring installations and refinishing throughout San Diego County.
In addition to his career in construction, Dane has worked as a Resident Manager, operating a residence for individuals suffering from drug and alcohol addiction as well as mental health issues.
Dane was elected to the Escondido Union High School Board in 2016. Throughout his term, Dane has prioritized fiscal responsibility, vocational and trade education, and supporting at-risk youth. In 2020, Dane was reelected by a record setting margin.
While not spending time running his own business and supporting Escondido high school students, Dane is actively involved with his local church– helping run addiction recovery programs and assisting with youth activities.
Dane lives in central Escondido with his wife Kelsey, a special education teacher, and their two daughters SonnyJan and Hattie.
Dane's Record
Balanced Budgets
On Day One of serving on the school board, Dane made it a priority to secure the fiscal position of the Escondido Union High School District. In spite of numerous financial pressures facing local schools, particularly declining enrollment, Dane and his fellow board members were able to take a structural budget deficit and return to a balanced budget that protects the long term health of the district– prior to the availability of American Rescue Plan funds.
Responsible Investments in Education
Throughout his time on the board, Dane has been an advocate for responsible new investments in educational facilities, without raising taxes. This meant prioritizing the districts needs and finding partnerships to lessen the burden paid by the district. Dane's efforts directly led to building new bathrooms at Orange Glen High School and a local inter-governmental partnership to build a state of the art aquatics facility for Escondido's student athletes.
Leadership that Brings People Together
Dane served as President of the Escondido Union High School District throughout 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike many districts that succumbed to bitter in-fighting and confrontation between parents and teachers, Dane managed to bring folks together and develop a plan that worked for everyone. While distance learning was never an ideal situation, Dane helped craft a plan that kept students as engaged as possible, provided in-person learning environments for the most vulnerable students, and ensured teachers felt safe. Crediting his leadership on this issue, Dane won the unlikely support of the Escondido Secondary Teachers Association in his 2020 re-election bid.
Endorsements
"Dane White has served our community well on the school board, ensuring parents have a say in their kid's education and making sure the district's budget is balanced. He will similarly deliver for Escondido as Mayor and work hard to address critical issues like rising crime and homelessness."
Senator Brian Jones
California State Senate
Senator Brian Jones
California State Senate
Tina Inscoe
Escondido Deputy Mayor
Jim Desmond
San Diego County Supervisor
Mike Morasco
Escondido Councilman
Doug Shultz
Escondido Treasurer
Christian Garcia
Palomar Community College Trustee
Christi Knight
Escondido Union High School District President
Tina Pope
Escondido Union High School District Vice President
Jon Peterson
Escondido Union High School District Trustee
Paulette Donnellon
San Diego County Board of Education
Bill Durney
Escondido Union High School District Trustee
Ron Naves
Rincon Del Diablo Water Board Director
Zesty Harper
Escondido Union School District Trustee (fmr.)
Jim Murtland
Rincon Del Diablo Water Board Director
Kurt Marler
Escondido Union High School District Trustee (fmr.)
Greg Quist
Rincon Del Diablo Water Board Director
T.J. Zane
Poway Unified School District Trustee
Richard Bailey
Coronado Mayor
John Franklin
Vista Deputy Mayor
Carl DeMaio
Reform California Chairman
Building Industry Association of San Diego
San Diego County Lincoln Club
Aaron Virto
Maya Banovic
Marlene Erdmann
Christian Padilla
Kari Lyons
David Bower
Judith Fitzgerald
Aubrey Marie Espiritu
William Carter
Chris Roach
Andres Serrano
Steve Whitener
Andreina Rivera
Christopher Lippe
Bill Morton
Cynthia Murray
Cathy Allen
Laura Fedele
Carla Santoro
Donabel Dacumos
Sabrina Gomez
Robert Ruppert
Paul Marx
Darrow Palma
Jeb Hall
Catherine Savage
Tara Fonseca
Evan Miller
Stryder Spillane
Rick Paul
Mike Sovacool
Laura Gardiner
Tony Gardiner
Janice McKeighan
Jill Leonard
Maureen Hoppal
Williamsburg Zettinger
Brigitte Flora
Jackie Pacheco
Walter Koepsell
Maya Banovic
Michael Waters
Jeffrey Felix
Deborah Felix
Partial List
Latest News
Dane White, once homeless, knows how to solve the public crisis
October 28th, 2022 - Dane White never expected to run for Escondido mayor considering his history in the foster care system and as an unhoused individual in the streets of Escondido. White says he used the tools the city provided to pull himself out of his situation, and now has a unique perspective on how to solve issues like homelessness in San Diego.
Homelessness
The failure of state and local leaders to address the homelessness crisis is nothing short of a disaster. We cannot keep enabling those that suffer from mental health or addiction and perpetuating the never ending cycle of homelessness.
To read my full plan to address homelessness in Escondido, click here.
Rising Crime
In just about every category, whether it be retail theft or violent crime, our community is less safe today than just a few years prior.
Our city leadership needs to ensure that the Escondido Police Department has the funding and resources they need to do their jobs and protect our families and businesses. As Mayor, I will be a collaborative partner with law enforcement.
Issues
