Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
17.2%
28.7%
14.3%
Georgia Republican Senate primary: 2nd place (1st round)
$21.6K
MAY 26, 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.comtwitter.comx.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgcarter.house.govdemocrats-energycommerce.house.govdocs.house.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgziplook.house.govlofgren.house.govdemocrats-armedservices.house.govdemocrats-transportation.house.govwaysandmeans.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 updatedJun 3, 2026
Buddy Carter finished third in Georgia’s Republican U.S. Senate primary, with about 25% of the vote, and was eliminated from advancing to the runoff. The runoff is now between Mike Collins and Derek Dooley, who will compete for the nomination to face Sen. Jon Ossoff. Carter had been arguing he was the strongest GOP contender, but the latest results show he fell short in the first round.
buddycarter.house.gov+40
Articles
ABAthens Banner-Herald8 days ago
Mike Collins of GA campaign official posted offensive Matt Lauer comment
Negative
NNewsmax8 days ago
Trump Likely to Stay Out of Georgia Senate Runoff
Neutral
SMSavannah Morning News13 days ago
Georgia runoff election 2026 poll for Republican senate nomination
Neutral
SCSanta Clarita Valley Signal14 days ago
Collins, Dooley advance to runoff in Georgia GOP Senate primary
Negative
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements