Troy Anthony Carter is a United States Congressman representing Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District since May of 2021. He is the Second Vice-Chair in the Congressional Black Caucus, and prominently known as the first African American elected to serve District 102 in the Louisiana House of Representatives, in the 1990s. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 26, 1963, Carter is the youngest of six children.
Carter attended Orleans Parish public schools and graduated from Oliver Perry Walker Senior High School. He then enrolled at Xavier University. In 1986 Carter graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Business Administration. Soon after he worked for the city of New Orleans administration as the Executive Assistant to Mayor Sidney Barthelemy.
Earning the initial one of many firsts, Carter was elected in 1991 to serve the 102th District in Orleans Parish. He was also the youngest floor leader to serve. In the private sector he was Vice President of Marketing at Materials Management Group Inc from 1992 until 1994. Following his term in the Louisiana’s House, Carter served on the New Orleans City Council District C from 1994 to 2002, running unopposed for his second term. In 1998, Carter attended the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Education Program.
Accomplishments as a New Orleans City Councilmember included restoration and revitalization of historical parks, neighborhoods, and landmarks throughout the city such as the historic Treme’ Villa, the creation of the Jazz Walk of Fame in historic Algiers, and the renovation of Washington Artillery Park and the Moonwalk.
During the late 1990s Carter was employed as an adjunct instructor of Political Science at Xavier University of Louisiana. While Hurricane Katrina had a devastating impact on various projects and briefly closed the institution, Carter continued his work as a councilmember. Not surprisingly almost all of his actions and efforts were devoted to the rebuilding and recovery process following the storm. From 2006 Carter worked at Henry Consulting LLC as a Senior Management Consultant until 2009.
In 2015 Carter ran successfully for a senate seat in District 7, becoming the first African American Senator in that post. As a Louisiana State Senator Carter authored and co-authored over seventy-five bills. During his time as a Louisiana lawmaker Carter served as Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Vice-Chairman of the Labor and Industrial Relations and Disaster Recovery Committee, and chair of the Algiers Development Committee, among other leadership roles.
In 2021 Carter was elected during a special election to serve in the United States House of Representatives to represent Louisiana’s District 2 following the vacancy of the seat left by former Congressman Cedric Richmond’s departure to join President Joe Biden’s administration. Congressman Carter was elected a second time to a full term on November 8, 2022.
Congressman Carter is married to Brigadier General Andree’ Ana Navarro-Carter and they have two sons, Joshua and Troy Carter Jr. The entire family continues to raise awareness and offer support to individuals who serve the country in the military, as public servants, first responders, educators, etc. Additionally, Congressman Carter participates in various activities and annual community giveaways throughout Orleans Parish.
Congressman Carter has received numerous awards and recognitions for his legislative work and community service throughout the state, as well as holding membership in various organizations including charter member of 100 Black Men of New Orleans, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, Young Leadership Council of New Orleans, Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, and The Light House for the Blind in New Orleans.
