Carter Announces Candidacy for House 85 Special

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2015

Chip Carter Announces Candidacy for House 85

OKLAHOMA CITY – Chip Carter, a longtime businessman and political leader who has successfully spearheaded major conservative reform efforts in Oklahoma, announced today that he will be a Republican candidate in the state House District 85 special election.

“It is important that the people of House District 85 have a representative who possesses both real-life business experience and the know-how to get things done in our political system,” Carter said. “For years I have successfully worked to ensure conservative policy solutions are advanced and adopted, and I have worked in the private sector to create jobs and help grow the economy. I know what it takes to make a living and create jobs in the private sector. I know how to succeed in politics. If elected to the Oklahoma Legislature, I will bring both skill sets to the Capitol as I work to make Oklahoma a place of even greater opportunity.”

Due to the death of incumbent Rep. David Dank, voters in northwest Oklahoma City will elect a new House District 85 representative in a special election. The primary election will occur on July 14, and a special general election is set for September 8. If no primary election is necessary, the special general election will occur July 14.

Carter is a longtime leader in conservative causes. In 2001, he managed the successful campaign to adopt a right-to-work law in Oklahoma through a vote of the people.

“Oklahoma’s economy today is one of the strongest in the nation and we enjoy one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country,” Carter said. “There are many reasons for that success, but our status as a right-to-work state is clearly one of the major factors.”

Carter has also been involved in national politics. In 1996, he served as the assistant national political director and assistant press secretary for Steve Forbes’ Republican presidential campaign. In that capacity, Carter helped advance major discussion on overhauling the federal tax code and replacing it with a flat tax, a debate that continues to impact policy discussions today.

“I have never been afraid to advocate for bold conservative reforms,” Carter said. “The fairest tax code is one that combines low rates with simplicity. That’s true for both the federal government and state government in Oklahoma.”

Carter previously served as director of development for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, a free-market think tank. He also worked on the 1994 and 1996 U.S. Senate campaigns of Jim Inhofe and then served four years on Sen. Inhofe’s staff.

Carter’s private-sector background is extensive; he has over 20 years experience as a leader in corporate affairs. He currently serves as vice president of corporate communications and business development for Jones Public Relations, a national media relations, public affairs, and strategic communications agency in Oklahoma City.

Prior to that, Carter led the investor relations and communications for Covenant Global Investors, an Oklahoma City-based investment fund.

Carter worked in real estate development as a vice president with Trammell Crow Company where he focused on the aerospace industry and led the development of the Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul Technology Center (MROTC) for Boeing across from Tinker Air Force Base.

Carter also worked as a vice president for Battelle Oklahoma/Battelle Memorial Institute, the world’s largest nonprofit research and development organization, which focuses on applying science and technology to solving crucial problems key to our national defense.

In addition to working at the highest levels of major businesses, Carter also knows the challenges of small business owners, having founded Veritas Consulting, his own aerospace and government relations consulting firm.

“Throughout my career, I have created jobs and helped companies succeed and expand,” Carter said. “As a state lawmaker I will work to ensure that state government is not an impediment to job creation in Oklahoma. Lower taxes, less government regulation, and cutting the bureaucratic red tape need to happen under this Republican legislature – not just be talked about on the campaign trail. I will be a strong voice in fighting to make government work for the people, not the other way around,” he added.

Serving on the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Board of Advisors, Carter is a member of the Economic Club of Oklahoma and a past president of the Downtown Club. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Quail Creek Home Owners Association. In 2005 he was named to the Journal Record‘s “Achievers Under 40” and in 2004, OKC Business named him one of the “40 Under 40”.

Carter, 45, and his wife, Lori, have one son (age 14) and two daughters (12 and 10). They are active members of Christ the King Catholic Church, where he serves on the Parish Council. Carter has a B.A. in Philosophy from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.

-END-