Steve Carter (Indiana politician)

Steve Carter (born 1954) is an American politician and businessman who served as the forty-first Attorney General of Indiana from January 1, 2001 to January 12, 2009.[2][3]

Steve Carter
41st Attorney General of Indiana
In office
January 1, 2001[1] – January 12, 2009
GovernorFrank O'Bannon
Joe Kernan
Mitch Daniels
Preceded byKaren Freeman-Wilson
Succeeded byGreg Zoeller
Personal details
BornLafayette, Indiana
Political partyRepublican
Alma materHarvard University (BA)
Indiana University School of Business (MBA)
Indiana University School of Law (JD)

Biography

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Early life and education

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Carter was born in Lafayette, Indiana. His father was a farmer and realtor. Carter grew up on his family's farm in Lowell, Indiana.[4]

Carter obtained a bachelor's degree in Economics from Harvard University. He also received his MBA and JD from the Indiana University Bloomington.[4]

Political career

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Carter, a Republican, served as chief of staff for John Mutz, Lieutenant Governor of Indiana from 1981 to 1989. Carter advised Mutz (who also served as Commissioner of Agriculture) on agricultural matters. Carter also served as chief counsel for the city of Indianapolis.[4][5]

Carter ran for Indiana Attorney General in 1996, but was narrowly defeated by Jeff Modisett. Carter ran for the same office again in 2000, running on a platform of reducing drunk driving and cybercrime and bolstering consumer protection. Carter defeated incumbent Karen Freeman-Wilson and served as Attorney General from 2001 to 2009, in the administrations of Governors Frank O'Bannon, Joe Kernan, and Mitch Daniels. Carter was elected as President of the National Association of Attorneys General in 2005. A focus of Carter's work as attorney general was developing a strong state "Do Not Call" Law restricting telemarketing. Carter was succeeded to the office of Attorney General by Greg Zoeller.[3][4]

Carter sought the Republican nomination for state Attorney General in 2016,[3][6] but lost to Curtis Hill at the June 2016 Republican state convention.[7][8]

Personal life

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Carter's wife, Marilyn Carter, was a television journalist in Indianapolis.[4]

Carter is the founder and president of the DeMotte Grain Company, Inc. in DeMotte.[4]

Electoral history

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Date Position Status Opponent Result Vote share Top-opponent vote share
1996 Indiana Attorney General Open-seat Jeff Modisett (D) Lost 48.65%[9] 51.35%
2000 Indiana Attorney General Incumbent Karen Freeman-Wilson (D) Elected 51.28%[10] 46.56%
2004 Indiana Attorney General Incumbent Joe Hogsett (D) Re-elected 58.18%[11] 39.92%

References

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  1. ^ "Offices". March 3, 2015.
  2. ^ Carden, Dan (July 21, 2015). "Carter eyes return as Indiana attorney general". nwitimes.com. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Former attorney general seeks old office". March 11, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Attorney general candidate is a pleasant surprise". Kokomo Tribune. 11 February 2000.
  5. ^ "Incumbent faces tough test after short term". Kokomo Tribune. October 30, 2000.
  6. ^ Bernard, Zach. "Former Indiana AG Carter Returns To Republican Race". www.wboi.org.
  7. ^ "Indiana GOP pick nominees for Attorney General and State School Superintendent". June 11, 2016.
  8. ^ "Hill, McCormick win Republican nominations". Indianapolis Star.
  9. ^ "Our Campaigns - IN Attorney General Race - Nov 05, 1996". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  10. ^ "Our Campaigns - IN Attorney General Race - Nov 07, 2000". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  11. ^ "Our Campaigns - IN Attorney General Race - Nov 02, 2004". www.ourcampaigns.com.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Timothy L. Bookwalter
Republican nominee for Indiana Attorney General
1996, 2000, 2004
Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of Indiana
2001–2009
Succeeded by