Troy Carter

Troy Anthony Carter Sr. (born October 26, 1963) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Louisiana's 2nd congressional district since 2021. He was previously a member of the Louisiana State Senate for the 7th district. A member of the Democratic Party, Carter also previously served on the New Orleans City Council and as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He is currently one of two Democrats in Louisiana's congressional delegation.

Early life and education Carter was born in New Orleans. After graduating from Oliver Perry Walker High School in Algiers, he attended Xavier University of Louisiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and political science. He began a master's at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Urban and Public Affairs and completed an executive training program at Harvard Kennedy School. He later received a Master of Science in management from the University of Holy Cross. Carter was raised Catholic.

Early career

Carter has been an adjunct political science instructor at Xavier University of Louisiana. Before his election to the state legislature, he served six years as executive assistant to New Orleans mayor Sidney Barthelemy.

Carter was elected as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1991, becoming the first African-American to serve District 102 in the Louisiana House. As a state representative in 1993, he introduced legislation to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. After his election to the Louisiana State Senate, he filed similar legislation in 2017 and 2020.

In 1994, he was elected to represent District C on the New Orleans City Council. He served until 2002, when he unsuccessfully ran for mayor, losing the primary election to Ray Nagin and Richard Pennington. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Louisiana's 2nd congressional district seat in 2006 against then-incumbent William J. Jefferson.

After several years out of public office, Carter was elected to the Louisiana Senate in 2015. Carter authored or co-sponsored 75 bills that went on to become law.

Carter also chairs the Algiers Development District. On March 20, 2021, Carter finished first in the top-two primary and advanced, with runner-up Senator Karen Carter Peterson, to the runoff election held on April 24.

Carter was endorsed by Cedric Richmond, John Breaux, 8 congressional Democrats, Helena Moreno, the AFL–CIO, and Gambit.

Tenure He was sworn in as the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 2nd congressional district on May 11, 2021, increasing the Democratic Party's majority to 219–212 over the Republican Party in the United States House of Representatives.

Committee assignments For the 119th Congress: Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Subcommittee on Environment Subcommittee on Health Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security

Caucus memberships

Congressional Equality Caucus Climate Solutions Caucus New Democrat Coalition Congressional Progressive Caucus Congressional Blockchain Caucus

Political positions

Carter opposes conservative measures that have sought to restrict abortion and expand gun rights. During his term of office as a state senator, he had two priorities: raising the state's minimum wage and strengthening anti-discrimination laws against the LGBTQ+ community.

Carter voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight'' analysis.

Personal life Carter's wife Andreé serves in the United States Army Reserve, and achieved the rank of Major General. Carter has two sons with his first wife, former New Orleans television news anchor Melanie Sanders. He lives on the Westbank of New Orleans, where he was born and raised.

Carter is a Baptist.