Mark White

HOUSTON -- Former Texas Governor Mark White is recovering at a Houston hospital after having surgery today to remove his left kidney.

White had the laparoscopic procedure at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Former White press secretary Ann Arnold says he sought medical attention during the holidays.

Arnold says test results found that White had renal cell carcinoma -- or kidney cancer.

She says the 66-year-old Democrat is in good spirits.

White, who lives in Houston, served as Texas governor from 1983 until 1987.