MIKE CARTERAge: 58Family: Wife, Joan, two adult sonsEducation: Bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee University, juris doctorate from University of Memphis.Previous experience: Lawyer in Memphis, 1978-80; practiced in Chattanooga 1980-97; General Sessions Court judge 1997-2005; assistant to chairman of the board and member of board of directors for Life Care Centers of America 2005-07; special assistant to County Mayor Claude Ramsey 2009-11.Currently: Started self-storage businesses in 2000 that he owns with his wife.
Mike Carter, a local businessman and Hamilton County Republican with a history in public service, has announced his candidacy for state representative in the newly drawn District 29.
“It is not enough to run as a Republican, we must govern as Republicans, reassert the American dream and make it available to all citizens,” Carter said in a prepared statement.
A portion of the previous District 29 ended up in the predominately black District 28 after redistricting. The newly drawn District 29 is predominately Republican and 15 to 20 percent black.
“It’s going to be a very difficult area, but I think he can pull all people together to have no division,” said Bobby Wood, campaign manager for Carter.