President Carter's son mulls Senate candidacy
Though he has never dabbled in politics before, Jack Carter, son of former President Jimmy Carter, is considering a possible run for U.S. Senate. The 58-year-old investment consultant has launched a Web site to solicit donations and gauge support for a potential bid to challenge Republican Sen. John Ensign.By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY
The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 30 -- The son of former President Jimmy Carter has launched a Web site soliciting donations for a possible run for U.S. Senate.
Former President Jimmy Carter, left, shakes hands with a fan during a signing tour for his new "Our Endangered Values" book at a store Nov. 22, in Salt Lake City. Carter's son, Jack, is considering a jump into politics, running for the U.S. Senate in Nevada. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)Jack Carter, 58, called the site part of his "listening tour" designed to gauge support for a potential bid to challenge Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev.
"One of the things you listen for is how are people going to contribute," he said Tuesday.
It would be the Las Vegas investment consultant's first personal foray in politics. He previously campaigned for his father.
Carter said he will not officially announce his decision until after the first of the year, but he said response to the site, which was posted last week, was "excellent."
He does not have to disclose contributions until January.
The Web site includes a biography detailing the former president's oldest son's progression from "Navy brat" to peanut farm hand to business consultant.
Carter addresses his own stint in the Navy, which ended in 1970 with an administrative discharge after he admitted using drugs.
"I went into the Navy voluntarily. I served my country well, I thought. When they asked people if they'd done drugs I told them that I had. When they asked me to leave, I was not sad about it," he said in an interview. "I have never lied about it."
State Democratic Party spokeswoman Kirsten Searer says the party supports a Carter candidacy.
"We have a strong potential candidate in Jack Carter, and we look forward to the race," she said. "As far as we know, no one else is interested."
Ensign, a first-term senator, has reported $2.1 million in campaign contributions and has said he is prepared to raise as much as $10 million if the race heats up.
Story Produced by: Bryan App
