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.
According to the Hamilton County Election Commission's website, Carter picked up his petition for the position on Feb. 2 and returned it Monday, the same day he officially announced his candidacy to the Pachyderm Club, the local GOP group.
Carter said he had to wait for the new redistricting maps to know exactly what precincts would be in the district he planned to run for.
"It was the time to do it," Carter said.
A longtime lawyer and judge, Carter retired from the courts system in 2005. He then went on to a seat on the board of directors for Life Care Centers of America. He owns a series of self-storage businesses with his wife, Joan, which they started around 2000.
Although Carter still gives legal advice to his friends, his business background is an equally important asset, Wood said.
"District 29 is going to be a growth corridor in the next couple of years," he said. "There's going to be substantial development."
Qualifying deadline for the Aug. 2 primary is April 5. Carter is currently unopposed in GOP primary.
"All I can do is give my idea of leadership and my opinions," Carter said.