HENDERSON, Nev. - Democrat Jack Carter, the son of the former president, kicked off his U.S. Senate campaign Monday by calling for a return to "our American values."
Carter, a 58-year-old investment consultant in Las Vegas, is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. John Ensign (news, bio, voting record) in his first bid for elected office.
"The singular difference between the junior senator and me is he works for the Bush administration and I want to work for Nevada," Carter said at a union hall outside Las Vegas, accompanied by his parents, former President Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter.
"Common sense, honesty, integrity and a desire for good government. These are our American values," he said.Jack Carter, son of former President Jimmy Carter, during a campaign kickoff event in Henderson, Nev., on Monday, Feb. 6, 2006.Carter announced that he will run as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate representing Nevada. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The former president did not address the crowd and told reporters his son "doesn't need any help from me." But, he added, he planned to help raise money for the campaign.
Ensign, who is seeking a second term, has a healthy lead in early polls and fundraising. He has raised $3.7 million in the election cycle to date. In 2000, he spent $4.8 million to beat Democrat Ed Bernstein. A spokesman said the senator would not comment directly on Carter's announcement.
Since October, Carter has raised $241,600, lent himself $25,000 and reported $223,600 cash on-hand at the end of the year.
Carter is the only Democrat in the race so far, although Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has considered running.
Carter worked for a short time as an attorney in Georgia before becoming an investment consultant. He also served in the Navy in Vietnam but was discharged in 1970 after admitting using drugs. Carter said he's not concerned that the administrative discharge will affect his election chances.
"I am who I am. I like who I am," he said.
Carter was in his late 20s when his father won the presidency in 1976. He campaigned for his father but did not live in the White House.
What can I say, but this is going to be an interesting race to watch. The Republican Party has a small problem now. With all the scandals, and political disasters that has been accumulating through the Republican-controlled Congress, and the Bush White House, we're starting to see some interesting Democratic challengers going up against established Republican seats. I don't know what Carter's political views are, or what he plans to provide for the citizens of Nevada, but this will be another race to watch.
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