Brenda Joyce Carter is a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives, currently serving her fourth term representing Michigan's 53rd House District, which includes the city of Pontiac and portions of Waterford Township and Auburn Hills. She is the first woman to hold this seat and has established herself as a leader in financial services, insurance, health policy, and community advocacy, including chairing the bipartisan and bicameral Poverty and Homelessness Caucus and founding five district task forces on veterans’ services, poverty and homelessness, minority maternal health, education, and criminal justice reform. Carter is married to Randy Carter, a former Pontiac City Council member, and they have six children and seven grandchildren; she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and worships at New Mount Moriah International Church.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Spring Arbor College; Master's in Public Administration from Oakland University; attended Michigan State University and participated in the Michigan Political Leadership Program as a fiscal consultant.
• Professional Background: Engineering analyst for General Motors; interim assistant to the City Manager of Troy, Michigan.
• Political Experience:
  • Elected to Michigan House in 2018 ; reelected in 2022 and 2024.
  • Pontiac Board of Education .
  • President, Michigan Association of School Boards ; member of Council of Urban Boards of Education, National School Boards Association, and Oakland County School Board Association.
  • Current committee roles: Minority Vice Chair, Insurance; member of Health Policy and Joint Committee on Administrative Rules; nationally, Vice Chair of Banking, Financial Services and Insurance for NCSL and Chair of Life Insurance and Financial Planning for NCOIL.
  • Notable achievements: Five bills signed into law; leadership in consumer protection, financial literacy, and equitable access to services.