 In 1876, White was nominated at the West Virginia Democratic Party Convention held in Charleston as the party's candidate for Attorney General of West Virginia despite not expressing interest in the position.That November, White was elected to the office by the largest majority won by politician in West Virginia up until that time.At the time of his election, the state's capital was Wheeling and on April 1, 1877, he relocated there with his family to serve in his post.