Former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronnie White announced that he has endorsed state Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-Richmond Heights, for Missouri attorney general.

Now a lawyer in private practice,  White was the first and, so far, only African-American to be appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Donnelly’s campaign notes that she  is seeking to become the first woman ever elected attorney general in Missouri.

“Margaret Donnelly has had a distinguished career in public service and as a lawyer in her own practice,” said White in a statement. “She will make an outstanding Attorney General who understands the law and is representative of all Missouri.”

“Judge White is a respected jurist and attorney,” said Donnelly. “I am honored by his endorsement and all the support my campaign has received throughout Missouri.”

White is a St. Louis native and served three terms in the state House. He later served as City Counselor for the City of St. Louis. In 1994, then-Gov. Mel Carnahan named White to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. A year later,  Carnahan chose White for the state Supreme Court.

White was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a federal judgeship, but the Senate shot it down in 1999. White left the state Supreme Court in 2007. He’s now a partner in the law firm of Holloran, White and Schwartz LLP.