Monday, June 16, 2025: I was in the Atlanta area this past Saturday morning, where I was honored to speak to the DeKalb GOP at their monthly breakfast in Dunwoody. My friend and newly re-elected Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon joined me at this great group's gathering. Josh and I served together in the Georgia State Senate, and I am proud of and thankful for the fine work he has done in leading our state party. Afterwards, I flew to Jacksonville, where I attended the Georgia Pharmacists Association (GPhA) annual convention on Amelia Island, where they celebrated their 150th anniversary. At the awards banquet on Saturday night, I was honored to receive the Larry Braden Meritorious Service Award, the highest honor GPhA bestows on a pharmacist. This award is very special for me, not only for what it represents, but because it is named for my good friend Larry Braden, who served as CEO of GPhA for many years and has been instrumental in leading GPhA in becoming the premier state pharmacy association in the nation. It is also special since my college roommate and one of my pharmacy mentors, Bob Warnock, received the same award last year. I’m on Sea Island in Glynn County this morning as I meet with two constituents to discuss Washington issues before heading to Ludowici in Long County, where I have the pleasure of reading to students participating in the Long County summer reading program at the library. I have participated in this program for many years, and this year I read a book written by former Georgia Bulldog football great Malcolm Mitchell, The Magician’s Hat. Afterwards, I head to my hometown of Port Wentworth in Chatham County, where I visit the US Sugar plant and am greeted by my childhood friend, Mike Cates, who works with the company. Mike and I grew up around the corner from this plant that at that time was called the Savannah Sugar Refinery, and actually rode our bicycles here to play baseball on their field. This refinery was the first large industry in the upper harbor and has produced top-quality sugar products for over 100 years. After a meeting in Pooler with my good friends and sport fishing enthusiasts Spud Woodward and Russell Kent to discuss federal mismanagement of red snapper in the South Atlantic, I head to Americus in Sumter County where I join my good friends Mike and Gaynor Cheokas at their beautiful home on Lake Collins for a meet and greet event. Mike and I served together in the
Georgia State House, where Mike continues to do a great job representing the people of Southwest Georgia.
Rep. Carter reads to Long County summer program
Tuesday, June 17, 2025: I’m in Atlanta this morning and I join in on an all-staff conference call before heading to North Atlanta to meet with a former pharmaceutical company owner to discuss Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM’s) and the egregious practices they employ that drive up drug prices. Afterwards, I head to downtown Atlanta near the State Capitol, where I meet with the developers of the South Downtown Atlanta project, a significant revitalization effort transforming 16 acres of historic buildings into a vibrant, mixed-use district. The project is expected to be a major catalyst for downtown Atlanta’s renewal ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Next, I head to Gainesville in Northeast Georgia, where I am honored to speak at the Hall County Republican Party's June Forum before heading back to Atlanta and stopping in Buford to congratulate my good friend, Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Tim Echols, on his big victory today.
Rep. Carter with PSC Commissioner Tim Echols
Wednesday, June 18, 2025: I’m in McDonough in South Atlanta this morning as I tour the most impressive EssilorLuxottica campus. As a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames, and sunglasses, this great company helps people see more and more. The Atlanta campus, under the leadership of Massimo Sapone, the Senior Vice President, is the company’s largest distribution center in North America and has one of the most advanced prescription lens laboratories in the world. After a meeting with my former Georgia State Senate colleague and good friend, Ronnie Chase, in Morrow, I head to Roswell in North Atlanta where I visit my good friends at StimLabs, a privately held regenerative medicine company that works to use the healing potential of placental and umbilical cord tissues through innovative, personalized solutions. Under the leadership of CEO John Daniel, the company has developed processing technologies that enhance the healing of tissue.
Rep. Carter meets with EssilorLuxottica
Thursday, June 19, 2025: I’m at the headquarters of AT&T in Atlanta this morning as my good friend Gary Sanchez, regional director for external affairs for AT&T in South Georgia, introduces me to the new Georgia President, Riley Blount. Riley is an Alabama native, Auburn graduate, and has extensive experience with AT&T. Afterwards, I head to Flowery Branch in Northeast Georgia, where I visit with Caroline and Ben Filchak, parents of Hope, age 4, who suffers from a rare mitochondrial disease, known as MLS syndrome. Also at the meeting are members of their extended family as well as representatives from the Barth Syndrome Foundation and Stealth Bio. Recently, I sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the review pathway for the drug manufactured by Steal Bio, elamipretide, that has proven effective in treating this rare disease. As Chair of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Health subcommittee, I am committed to working closely with the FDA to make sure that drugs used for ultrarare diseases are available and safe. Next, I head to a meeting in Johns Creek to discuss Washington issues before heading to Duluth for a meeting with Gwinnett Commissioner Matthew Holtcamp. After having the honor of speaking to the Forsyth County GOP at their monthly meeting in Cumming, I head to the Atlanta airport for my return trip home.
Rep. Carter meets with Forsyth County GOP
Friday, June 20, 2025: It sure is good to be back home this morning and especially to be with my Band of Brothers in Garden City, where, once again, our leader, Pastor Kenny Grant, delivers a powerful message in leading us in a study of God’s word. Afterwards, I head to Fort Stewart in Liberty County, where I meet with my good friend, General Chris Norrie, and his leadership team to get an update on the activities on the base. General Norrie will be transitioning to a leadership position in Europe in the next few weeks. Fort Stewart has been blessed over the years to have outstanding leadership, and I can think of no one who has done a better job than Gen. Chris Norrie. After a meeting with newly appointed Liberty County Manager Joseph Mosely in Hinesville, I head to Savannah State University, where I meet with newly appointed President Dr. Jermaine Whirl, who is an excellent choice for this position and is already making a tremendous impact on the school. Next, I head to Ellabell in Bryan County, where I tour the new St. Joseph’s/Candler Black Creek Campus that currently houses urgent care and occupational medicine. After heading to South Bryan County, where I tour the most impressive Richmond Hill Historical Society Museum, I head to our Brunswick office, where I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing and a video reel.
Rep. Carter visits Ft. Stewart
