He was responsible for establishing a close working relationship with Mexican agricultural entities that had expanded markets for both countries.

[4] In 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter nominated White to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

He was responsible for the implementation of national agriculture policy and was the chief U.S. representative in negotiations with foreign governments, including the Soviet Union, on grain agreements.

[3] White resigned his post in 1978, when President Carter tapped him to lead the Democratic National Committee.

The Republicans took control of the presidency and the U.S. Senate in the 1980 elections, but the Democrats retained their majority in the United States House of Representatives under the leadership of Tip O'Neill.