Supporters demand answers from missing Rep. John Carter
A small group gathered outside the congressman's Georgetown office on Monday to question his lack of public appearances before the Nov. 3 vote.
By Alessia Desai ·
Car horns blared in the parking lot outside Rep. John Carter's Georgetown office on Monday. A dozen people stood holding signs and chanting, 'Where is John Carter?' They sought a direct conversation with the congressman on the day before the general election.
Carter is running for a 13th term in Texas' 31st Congressional District. He is 84 years old. In recent months, he has stayed away from the campaign trail. His opponent, Early, said he has not spoken with Carter or his campaign staff since the race began. Early noted that the two candidates had agreed to hold a public forum in April. Carter stopped returning messages after the March primaries.
Early, 46, led the group to the office parking lot to start a dialogue. They brought coffee and donuts for the meeting. Early said, 'So, we decided why don't we just have a conversation with him right now? So, we brought coffee and donuts to have a conversation just here in the parking lot with him.' Carter did not appear. No staff members joined the group outside. Observers inside the office watched the scene through the windows.
As Early addressed reporters, several car alarms began to sound. Early pointed out that the alarms seemed to react to the group's presence. He said, 'It seems that the people that are also in this parking lot are honking their car alarms at the fact that we're here asking the question: Where's John Carter?' Early expressed concern about Carter's capacity to serve constituents if he wins another term.
Carter responded to the questions in a short phone call with KUT News on Monday. He stated that he is healthy enough to serve. He said, 'No, I am perfectly well enough to hold office and I will be up there next week.' Carter attributed his absence to personal issues at home. He claimed he has always attended necessary duties despite those problems.
Carter downplayed the competitive nature of his race against Early. He stated, 'My race is done and I think I have won.' The next major step is the Nov. 3 election, where voters in the 31st District will cast their ballots.
