John Carter is a 12-term Republican congressman who has represented Texas' 31st Congressional District since 2003. Born November 6, 1941, in Houston, Carter earned his B.A. from Texas Tech University in 1964 and his J.D. from the University of Texas in 1969. Before his congressional career, he served as a District Court Judge in Williamson County from 1981 to 2001. Carter is the third longest-serving member of the current U.S. House. At 84 years old, Carter won his Republican primary on March 3, 2026, with 60% of the vote despite facing nine challengers including social media figures Valentina Gomez and Vince Offer (the "ShamWow Guy"). President Donald Trump endorsed Carter for re-election in December 2025.
John Carter was born in Houston, Texas on November 6, 1941. He earned his B.A. from Texas Tech University in 1964 and his J.D. from the University of Texas in 1969. Carter initially practiced law in Round Rock, and later served as a District Court Judge for the 277th District Court in Williamson County from 1981 to 2001. He first ran for Congress in 2002 in the newly created 31st District, finishing second in the primary but winning the runoff. He has represented the district continuously since taking office in January 2003. Carter is married to Erika and has four children and six grandchildren.