Buddy Carter is a 66-year-old U.S. Representative from Georgia's 1st Congressional District (coastal Georgia including Savannah), serving since 2015 and currently in his sixth term. Before Congress, he served in the Georgia House and Senate for a decade. He is a pharmacist from St. Simons Island with deep ties to southeast Georgia politics. Carter launched his 2026 Senate campaign in May 2025 with messaging framing himself as a 'MAGA warrior' and ardent Trump supporter, citing border security and opposition to transgender participation in sports as key priorities.
Buddy Carter (Earl LeRoy Carter Jr.) was born September 6, 1957. He earned an associate degree from Young Harris College (1977) and Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from University of Georgia (1980). He worked as a pharmacist and served on Pooler city council (1994-1995) and as Pooler mayor (1996-2004). He served in Georgia House of Representatives (2005-2009) and Georgia Senate (2009-2014) before election to U.S. House in 2014. Represents Georgia's 1st Congressional District including Savannah and southeast Georgia coast. Married with family in St. Simons Island area.
Hard-line enforcement; criticism of Ossoff for supporting open borders
Attacks Ossoff for allegedly supporting open borders and claims contrast between Carter as border security advocate and Ossoff as open-border supporter.
Voting History: Co-sponsors immigration enforcement bills; supported Deporting Fraudsters Act to make non-U.S. nationals inadmissible.
Supports FairTax or Flat Tax to replace income tax system
Sponsor of H.R. 25 (FairTax Act) proposing national sales tax system replacing current income tax structure.
Voting History: Voted for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; has voted for major tax reduction proposals.
Opposes ACA (Obamacare)
Supporter of ACA repeal; voted against Affordable Care Act protections.
Voting History: Voted against Affordable Care Act protections in Congress.
Strong Second Amendment supporter
Has 'A' grade from National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund for gun rights stances.
Voting History: Voted against Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act which would allow states to set own cannabis policy.
Strong Israel supporter
Pledges to strengthen Israel and keep it safe from violent rogue nations and terrorists.
Voting History: Voted to provide Israel support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Carter represents a conservative Republican district and votes consistently with Trump agenda. He serves on House Budget, Energy and Commerce committees. His record includes support for Trump policies, ACA opposition, strong gun rights stance, and support for Israel. Introduced bills supporting Trump Greenland acquisition and various conservative priorities.
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 | Major tax cut legislation | Yea | 2017-12-20 | Supported major Trump-era tax cuts; Carter said he believed it would make businesses more competitive and help constituents earn/save more. |
| H.R. 25 - FairTax Act of 2023 | Replace income tax with national sales tax system | Primary Sponsor | 2023-01-01 | Major tax reform proposal replacing federal income tax with 23% value-added sales tax; core of Carter's economic platform. |
| Deporting Fraudsters Act (co-sponsor) | Make aliens/non-US nationals inadmissible | Co-sponsor | 2026-03-18 | Recent immigration enforcement measure showing continued focus on deportation and border security. |
| Greenland Acquisition Authorization (introduced) | Authorize Trump to purchase or acquire Greenland | Introduced | 2025-01-01 | Shows extreme loyalty to Trump agenda; filed bill supporting controversial Greenland purchase proposal. |
Carter's social media and campaign tone is aggressively partisan and focused on cultural war issues (transgender athletes, DEI) rather than substantive policy. Uses inflammatory language and identity-based framing, positioning 2026 choice as MAGA vs. progressive values.
Georgians will have a very simple choice in 2026: do you want a MAGA warrior for you or do you want a trans warrior for they/them? I'm with you. You can guess where Jon Ossoff is. Game on.
Campaign announcement using inflammatory gender war messaging to frame general election as cultural clash
View post →Carter is establishment and not true to MAGA cause
Collins' campaign has attacked Carter for being part of establishment machine; Republicans squabble over who is truest Trump ally in primary.
Carter alignment with Trump puts him at disadvantage in general election
Democrats argue Trump's policies are unpopular and Carter's close alignment makes him vulnerable in swing state.