Lee J. Carter
Lee Jin Carter (born June 2, 1987) is an American former politician who represented the 50th district in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2018 to 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he defeated Jackson Miller, the Republican House Majority Whip, to win the seat. Born in North Carolina, Carter is an IT specialist and a former U.S. Marine. The first openly communist state delegate in the United States since 1929, Carter served on the Finance Committee and the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee. In 2017, he was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), of which he was then a member.
Lee J. Carter | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 50th district | |
| In office January 10, 2018 – January 12, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jackson Miller |
| Succeeded by | Michelle Maldonado |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lee Jin Carter June 2, 1987 Elizabeth City, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent (since 2022) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (before 2022) Democratic Socialists of America |
| Domestic partner | Violet Rae |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Northern Virginia Community College (AAS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 2006–2011 |
| Unit | 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit |
As a Marine, Carter went to Kuwait and the Mediterranean. His unit, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, was also one of the first to respond to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In 2021, Carter ran for governor of Virginia in the 2021 election. He came in fifth of the five candidates in the Democratic primary with less than 3% of the vote, losing to Terry McAuliffe, and also lost the primary for renomination for his House seat.