John Carter

John Rice Carter is a Republican politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 31st congressional district since 2003. Born and raised in Houston, Carter earned a bachelor's degree in history from Texas Tech University in 1964 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law in 1969. Before entering federal politics, he practiced law privately and served as a district judge for the 277th District Court in Williamson County for over 20 years. He notably became the first Republican ever elected to a countywide office in Williamson County in 1982. Carter was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002, following the creation of the 31st district during redistricting. Throughout his tenure, he has been a prominent member of the House Appropriations Committee, where he has held leadership roles such as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. His legislative career has been heavily influenced by the presence of Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in his district, leading him to advocate consistently for military readiness, veterans' healthcare, and improved quality of life for service members and their families.

Representative Carter maintains a conservative platform with a strong emphasis on national security, fiscal discipline, and traditional values. On immigration, he supports a 'security-first' approach, advocating for increased border enforcement and infrastructure, such as a border wall. Economically, he favors pro-growth policies including tax reductions and the reduction of federal regulations to support small businesses. A staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, Carter has consistently voted against stricter gun control measures. In healthcare, he has supported the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act in favor of market-driven solutions. Additionally, as a senior appropriator, he prioritizes robust military spending and has authored legislation like the Veterans Transplant Coverage Act to expand healthcare access for veterans. He is also a proponent of increasing domestic energy production and has historically voted against large federal spending packages he deems fiscally irresponsible.