Changes

Carter was first elected to the legislature on August 17, 1996, when in a special election he defeated the [[Republican Party|Republican]] Rhett Bergeron, 63 to 37 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|title= State Representative -- 72nd Representative District|date=August 17, 1996|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|date=April 3, 2016}}</ref>The seat had previously been held by the Democrat Buster J. Guzzardo, Sr., who resigned mid-way in the first year of his third term.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref> In 2003, for his third term, Carter defeated the Republican R. J. Saia, 82 to 18 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|title=Election Returns|date=October 4, 2016|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref>

Carter was first elected to the legislature on August 17, 1996, when in a special election he defeated the [[Republican Party|Republican]] Rhett Bergeron, 63 to 37 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|title= State Representative -- 72nd Representative District|date=August 17, 1996|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|date=April 3, 2016}}</ref>The seat had previously been held by the Democrat Buster J. Guzzardo, Sr., who resigned mid-way in the first year of his third term.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref> In 2003, for his third term, Carter defeated the Republican R. J. Saia, 82 to 18 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|title=Election Returns|date=October 4, 2016|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref>

 

 

In his first legislative stint, Carter was vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee,  chairman of the Rural Caucus, and floor leader for then Democratic Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]]. He co-authored the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, known as the TOPS program and named for the late [[New Orleans]] [[business]]man Patrick F.Taylor. Carter worked to increase pay of teachers and university professors and to fund the Florida Parishes Technical College. He penned the legislation which halted the construction of an industrial landfill in St. Helena ParishHe pushed for completion of the Florida Parishes Arena in Amite, the FAARM Arena in Clinton, and the Interstate 55 Welcome Center in Kentwood in Tangipahoa Parish.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.actionnews17.com/Politics/former-representative-robby-carter-announces-for-district-72-1131075

In his first legislative stint, Carter was vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee,  chairman of the Rural Caucus, and floor leader for then Democratic Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]]. He co-authored the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, known as the TOPS program and named for the late [[New Orleans]] [[business]]man Patrick F.Taylor. Carter worked to increase pay of teachers and university professors and to fund the Florida Parishes Technical College. He penned the legislation which halted the construction of an industrial landfill in St. Helena Parish. He pushed for completion of the Florida Parishes Arena in Amite, the FAARM Arena in Clinton, and the Interstate 55 Welcome Center in Kentwood in Tangipahoa Parish.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.actionnews17.com/Politics/former-representative-robby-carter-announces-for-district-72-1131075

|title=Former Representative Robby Carter announces for District 72|date=July 31, 2015|publisher=Action News 17|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref>

|title=Former Representative Robby Carter announces for District 72|date=July 31, 2015|publisher=Action News 17|accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref>