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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]

Biography

Early life and education

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

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

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

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

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
Categories
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