Monday, January 26, 2026: On Saturday, I was in Woodstock in Cherokee County, where I had the honor of speaking to the Cherokee GOP at their monthly meeting. Located in the northern metro Atlanta area, Woodstock was originally a stop on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and has consistently been one of the fastest growing suburbs in the United States over the past few decades. Incorporated as a town in 1897, Woodstock was named after the 1826 novel by Walter Scott. Cherokee County was created in 1831 and was named after the Cherokee people who lived in the area at that time and were forced out by European Americans after the discovery of gold in local streams. Afterwards, I headed to Crawford in Oglethorpe County where 5 area county GOPs were hosting a meet and greet. The five counties- Madison, Elbert, Oglethorpe, Clarke and Greene- are all located in the Athens area in northeast Georgia. The event was held in the Crawford Depot, a historic Georgia Railroad stone depot that I passed by numerous times driving from my home in Port Wentworth in Chatham County on the way to Athens while I was in school. After driving home to St. Simons Island Saturday night, I got back up and made the drive to Statesboro in Bulloch County where I joined my good friend, State Senator Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), and attended services at the First Baptist Church Statesboro. Serving the Greater Statesboro area as well as the students at Georgia Southern University, this Church is as advertised- it’s where lives are changed, friendships are formed and faith grows. Because the Lead Pastor, John Waters, was out of town, the sermon this week was delivered by College Pastor Drew Felts who did an excellent job with his message on the prodigal plan. Because of the inclement weather in North Georgia, our schedule has been disrupted but we make the most of it by heading to Swainsboro in Emanuel County and visiting the East Georgia Healthcare Center of Swainsboro. Providing services such as adult medicine, pediatric medicine, chronic care management, behavioral health, chiropractic care, pharmacy services and optometry, Emauel County is one of 14 counties in southeast Georgia served by East Georgia Healthcare Centers helping people live healthier lives. After a great visit, I head to the Swainsboro Rotary Club with my good friend, Rep. Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro) who is out of Atlanta today because of the inclement weather. During the drive back to St. Simons Island, I have a virtual call with our Chief of Staff before joining in on a virtual call with our District team. Next, I join our office communications consultant for a training session and, once back in our Brunswick district office, have a virtual interview with WSAV-TV in Savannah to discuss the immigration situation in Minneapolis.
Rep. Carter visits East GA Healthcare Center
Tuesday, January 27, 2026: I’m up early and back on the road again as I travel to Columbus in Muscogee County and, during the drive, join in on our all-staff conference call. Columbus-Muscogee County is a consolidated city-county on the Chattahoochee River, bordering Alabama and is Georgia’s second largest city after Atlanta. It is home to Fort Benning, was named for Christopher Columbus and was a key confederate supply city during the Civil War. Muscogee County was named by American Indians for the native Muscogee or Creek people. Once in Columbus, I attend the University of Georgia (UGA) Economic Outlook luncheon at Columbus State University. Hosted by UGA’s Terry College of Business, this annual series gives each region in the State the latest research driven insights from the Selig Center for Economic Growth. Afterwards, I head to the studios of WTVM in Columbus where I have an on-camera interview to discuss news of the day and then head to the law offices of Frank Lumpkin who brings me up to date on his work promoting I-4, a proposed new interstate that will stretch from Texas to Georgia. Next, I head to Cartersville in Bartow County northwest of metro Atlanta, where I have the honor of speaking to the Bartow County GOP at Georgia Highlands College.
Rep. Carter visits UGA Economic Outlook Luncheon in Columbus, GA
Wednesday, January 28, 2026: I have a special treat this morning as I leave Atlanta early and travel to Forsyth in Monroe County, where I join my good friend, Mark Dye, at the Dairy Queen, where they have over 100 men gather for a prayer breakfast every Wednesday morning. After a great experience with these men of faith, I keep heading south to Albany in Dougherty County in southwest Georgia, where I attend the UGA Economic Outlook luncheon at Albany State University. Next, I head back home to our Brunswick district office, where I have a virtual interview with WSAV-TV in Savannah to discuss the immigration situation in Minneapolis and my letter to ICE requesting more agents in Atlanta. Afterwards, I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing.
Rep. Carter visits UGA Economic Outlook Luncheon in Albany, GA
Thursday, January 29, 2026: I’m up early again this morning and at the airport as I fly to Atlanta, then to Los Angeles, where I join the House Judiciary Committee for a roundtable discussion on “Online Copyright Piracy: Live Events, Sports, and Broadcasts.” After the long flight out west, I join the group in a tour of the Apple Music Studios.
Rep. Carter films Buddy's Briefing
Friday, January 30, 2026: After doing my best to adjust to the three-hour time difference, I’m up and have a virtual interview with 11 Alive in Atlanta to discuss the immigration situation in Minneapolis, my letter requesting more ICE agents in Atlanta, and the potential looming government shutdown. Next, I have a virtual interview with Fox Digital to discuss my Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform legislation that is included in the Appropriation bills being considered in the Senate before heading to Enovachem Manufacturing, a 503a and 503b compounding pharmacy in the LA area. After a great visit, I head back to the hotel where I participate in a roundtable discussion with the Judiciary committee on the proposed piracy legislation. As is the case with many pieces of legislation, this proposed bill will come before the Energy and Commerce (E&C) committee that I serve on since we have jurisdiction in this area as well. Afterwards, I have a phone conference with our Chief of Staff and District Director before having a virtual interview with NTD Capitol Report to discuss the Minneapolis immigration situation. Next, I head to Paramount Studios for a tour of their facilities and to discuss potential tax breaks for the industry before heading to a meeting with a board member of the American Israel coalition and then to the airport where I take a red eye flight back home.
Rep. Carter visits pharmacy in Los Angeles, California
