Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
17.2%
42.7%
28.7%
14.3%
10.2%
M. Greene
Georgia Republican Senate nominee?
$722.3K
JUN 17, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age68 years old (Sep 6, 1957)
GenderMale
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LocationGeorgia
BackgroundPharmacist
EducationYoung Harris College (A.A.)
Notable personal detailsEarl L. "Buddy" Carter is a Republican U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 1st congressional district, serving since January 3, 2015. He previously served as Mayor of Pooler, Georgia (1996–2004) and in the Georgia General Assembly, including the Georgia House of Representatives (2005–2009) and Georgia State Senate (2009–2014). He is a pharmacist and former owner of Carter’s Pharmacy, Inc., and earned an A.A. from Young Harris College and a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Georgia.
SourcesShowHide
buddycarter.house.govhistory.house.govcongress.govclerk.house.goven.wikipedia.orgfacebook.comamericanbridgepac.orgpolitico.combuddycarter.comjunkipedia.orgbookstore.gpo.govwjcl.comwashingtonexaminer.comeffinghamherald.netnpr.orgcassidy.senate.govwsbtv.comfox5atlanta.comcbsnews.comthecurrentga.orgwtoc.comenergycommerce.house.goveenews.netaxios.comclimatepower.usnrapvf.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgapnews.comfoxnews.comwashingtonpost.comtranscripts.cnn.comcontext-cdn.washingtonpost.comit.wikipedia.orgfr.wikipedia.orgdemocrats-transportation.house.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgdemocrats-armedservices.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports major tax cuts and replacement of the current income-tax system with a national consumption (FairTax) plan, has voted for large Republican tax-reduction packages, and has backed spending reductions (including Medicaid changes) to pair with tax relief. Advocates for reduced tax burdens on individuals, businesses, and seniors and for policies described as delivering substantial tax savings to constituents.
Healthcare
Supports full repeal of the Affordable Care Act and favors market-based, state-empowering reforms to health care. Has advocated ‘‘modernizing’’ and returning authority over Medicaid to states and voted for budget measures tied to Medicaid reductions and ACA repeal efforts.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes stronger immigration enforcement and increased federal immigration-law enforcement presence, calling for expanded ICE/DHS resources in Georgia and supporting measures that empower local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws and extend detention for noncitizens. He describes the southern border as a crisis and supports stricter enforcement actions against people in the country unlawfully.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Opposes broadly permissive federal abortion legislation and supports protecting unborn children; has voted against measures to codify broad abortion access and sponsored or supported measures restricting certain abortion practices and funding. Describes abortion as an atrocity and affirms belief in the sanctity of life.
Climate & Energy
Buddy Carter accepts that climate change is real and favors a market-driven, technology-focused approach that includes support for nuclear and selective clean-energy incentives while opposing broad regulatory fixes like parts of the Inflation Reduction Act. He has sponsored legislation funding ocean-based carbon removal research and has emphasized energy security and increased domestic energy production. His public statements and committee roles stress permitting reform, support for nuclear baseload power, and market/consumer-driven solutions rather than aggressive emissions mandates or rapid,
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate is a strong supporter of gun rights, has opposed expanded/“universal” background checks, and has received high grades and endorsements from pro-gun organizations. He has argued that Congress should not be relied on for solutions to gun violence and has a voting record consistent with opposing new firearm restrictions.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Buddy Carter is in the mix for the Georgia Republican nomination for the 2026 U.S. Senate race, competing with Mike Collins and Derek Dooley as the party worries about a possible runoff. Recent polling shows Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff leading Carter and other potential GOP challengers in head-to-head matchups, with a large share of undecided voters. The race remains unsettled in part because there has not been a clear endorsement from Donald Trump.
buddycarter.house.gov+37
Articles
UNU.S. News & World Report3 months ago
As Texas Braces for Messy Senate Runoff, Georgia Republicans Fear Similar Fate Unless Trump Endorses
Neutral
NNewsweek3 months ago
Jon Ossoff's chances of losing to Republicans in Georgia Senate race-Poll
Neutral
FNFox News3 months ago
Club for Growth plans $175 million spending for GOP midterm elections
Positive
UTUSA TODAY3 months ago
Early primaries test Trump’s influence and party loyalty
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Georgia Republican Senate primary: 2nd place (1st round)
Endorsers of Buddy Carter for Georgia Republican Senate primary: 2nd place (1st round)
Eric Johnson
Public figure
Eric Johnson endorsed Buddy Carter in the 2026 Georgia Republican Senate race.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2024Total raisedCash on hand
$3.0M
$2.3M
$1.5M
$754.7K
$0
2022
2024
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$2.1M
$1.8M
$2.0M
$84.0K
Cycle 2024
$2.6M
$3.0M
$1.4M
$58.2K
Source: FEC