John William Carter (born July 3, 1947) is an American businessman, politician and environmentalist. The eldest child of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter,[1] he was the Democratic nominee in the 2006 United States Senate election in Nevada but lost to Republican incumbent John Ensign.[2]
Jack Carter | |
|---|---|
| Born | John William Carter July 3, 1947 Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. |
| Education | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2, including Jason |
| Parents |
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| Relatives |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1968–1970 |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
Early life and education
editCarter was born at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth, Virginia, four days before his parents’ first wedding anniversary. Raised in Plains, Georgia, he spent winters working at his father's peanut farm warehouse, where his wages began at 10 cents per hour. Carter struggled when he first entered college in 1965, attending Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and Georgia Southwestern State University before enlisting in the United States Navy in April 1968 at the suggestion of his father. Carter served during the Vietnam War, on the salvage ship USS Grapple (ARS-7). He received a general discharge in late 1970 after he and 53 classmates were caught smoking marijuana at the Naval Reactors Facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho.[3] Carter returned to Georgia Tech, earning a degree in nuclear physics. Following graduation, he immediately entered the University of Georgia School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1975.
In 1985, he was interviewed by David Wallechinsky for his book, Midterm Report: The Class of '65: Chronicles Of An American Generation (1986). It was later published as Class Reunion '65, Tales of an American Generation, written from the perspective of two decades post-high school graduation.[4] Twenty-eight then-contemporary high school graduates were interviewed, with Wallachinsky noting the profound impact of the war on Vietnam on their lives.[4]
Career
editIn 1981, Carter moved to Chicago, where he worked for the Chicago Board of Trade and Citibank.
2006 senatorial campaign
editCarter moved to Nevada in 2002 and ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the United States Senate as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Senator John Ensign of Nevada in the 2006 election. Carter won the Democratic nomination on August 15, 2006, against opponent Ruby Jee Tun, a teacher from Carson City.[5][6]
Carter's primary issues were his opposition to the Iraq War and his concerns about the healthcare system, especially what he characterized as its failure to meet its commitment to veterans.
Stepchildren
editStepson John Chuldenko, from wife Elizabeth Brasfield's first marriage, is a film director and has directed television ads for Carter's campaign; stepdaughter Sarah Reynolds (née Chuldenko) is a book illustrator (for Jimmy Carter's poetry volume) and painter who has worked with Jeff Koons,[7] and is married to Australian artist Stephen Reynolds.
References
edit- ^ Friess, Steve (October 23, 2005). "A presidential son explores venture into national politics". Boston Globe. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "Nevada Sen. John Ensign admits affair". CNN Politics. June 16, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "The Telegraph – Google News Archive Search".
- ^ a b Midterm Report, the Class of ’65: CHRONICLE OF AN AMERICAN GENERATION by David Wallechinsky, Los Angeles Times, Charles Trueheart, September 28, 1986. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Erin Neff (October 5, 2006). "Son of former president to challenge Ensign in 2006". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 13, 2005.
- ^ "Jimmy Carter's Son Wins Primary". NBC News. Associated Press. August 16, 2006. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "Jimmy Carter Library" (PDF). jimmycarterlibrary.org.
External links
edit
- "Oral History with Jack Carter"—interview on June 25, 2003
- USS Grapple (ARS 7) website
- Jack Carter's Facebook account