Tennessee State Representative Mike Carter passed away last night after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 67 years old. Since 2013, Carter represented District 29, which includes Ooltewah in Hamilton County. From 1997 to 2005, he served as a judge in the General Session Court of Hamilton County.

Governor Bill Lee tweeted about Carter’s passing this morning saying Carter was a leader, friend and brother in Christ.

Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton issued the following statement on the passing of Carter:

“It is with great sadness that our friend and colleague Chairman Mike Carter has left this life, but it is with great comfort that he was a man of faith and now has God’s greatest gift – eternal life. Carter was an effective and dedicated public servant. His love of service to his community and to Tennessee was surpassed only by his love for God.”

He was first elected to the State House in 2012, and was re-elected for a fifth two-year term last November with no opposition.

In recent years, he had worked to ensure teacher pay raises, and to eliminate the emissions testing program in Hamilton County, a process that is currently under federal review.

In the summer of 2020, he was hospitalized with COVID-19, and while recovering from that illness, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He continued to serve in the state legislature until his condition worsened.

He is survived by his wife Joan, and two sons. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.