Introduction
Earl Leroy "Buddy" Carter (born September 6, 1957) is an American politician who is the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 1st congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he was a member of the Georgia State Senate. Carter was first elected as a State Senator in the 2009 general election.
Early life and education
Carter graduated from Robert W. Groves High School in 1975. He earned an associate degree from Young Harris College in 1977 and a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from the University of Georgia in 1980.
Political career
Carter served on the planning and zoning commission for the city of Pooler from 1989 to 1993 and on Pooler's city council from 1994 to 1995. Carter served as Pooler's mayor from 1996 to 2004 as well. Carter was first elected to the state legislature in 2005—serving two terms in the House of Representatives from 2006 to 2010. Carter was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2009 and sworn into the upper house in 2010. He sat on the Senate Appropriations, Health and Human Services, Higher Education, and Public Safety committees.
In March 2014, a controversy emerged regarding S.B. 408, a bill authored by Carter that would increase reimbursement rates for pharmacies in Georgia. As he is the owner of three pharmacies which would see increased profits as a result of the proposed action, his vote was considered by many to be in violation of the ethical guidelines of the State Senate. "Obviously, it's borderline," he admitted when questioned afterwards.
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
- Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
- Committee on Homeland Security
- Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
- Subcommittee on Transportation Security
- Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
- Subcommittee on Government Operations
- Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits and Administrative Rules