Earl Carter

Earl LeRoy "Buddy" Carter is a Republican politician representing Georgia's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2015. Born in Port Wentworth, Georgia, Carter earned an associate degree from Young Harris College and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Georgia in 1980. Before entering federal office, he was a pharmacist and business owner for over 30 years, operating Carter's Pharmacy in the Savannah area. His legislative career began at the local level, serving on the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council, and later as Mayor of Pooler from 1996 to 2004. Following his tenure as mayor, Carter served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2005 to 2009 and the Georgia State Senate from 2009 to 2014. In 2014, he was first elected to the U.S. House, where he has focused on healthcare, energy, and budgetary policy. As the only pharmacist in Congress, he holds a seat on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and has served as a chair of the Subcommittee on Health. He has been a leading voice in efforts to reform pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and lower the cost of prescription drugs. Throughout his congressional service, Carter has been an active member of the Republican Study Committee and the Conservative Climate Caucus. In 2026, he sought the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate but was unsuccessful in the primary. He remains a prominent figure in healthcare policy, frequently co-chairing the Community Pharmacy Caucus and advocating for small business interests and pharmaceutical supply chain transparency.

Carter's policy positions are rooted in fiscal and social conservatism. In healthcare, he is a vocal advocate for repealing the Affordable Care Act and replacing it with market-based solutions. He focuses significantly on pharmaceutical pricing, supporting legislation to increase transparency for pharmacy benefit managers and reduce prescription drug costs. On energy and the environment, he promotes an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy that supports domestic oil and gas production alongside nuclear energy and renewables. Carter is a fiscal conservative who supports broad tax cuts, including the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and favors deregulation to encourage small business growth. Regarding immigration, he supports increased border security measures, such as physical barriers and enhanced surveillance, as well as mandatory E-Verify for employers. He maintains a pro-life stance on abortion and is a consistent supporter of Second Amendment rights.