Joel R. Carter Jr. is a Republican politician and insurance representative serving in the Mississippi State Senate from District 49 since January 10, 2018, succeeding Sean Tindell. He chairs the Senate Energy Committee and serves on the Corrections, Finance, Highways and Transportation, Investigate State Offices, Labor, Ports and Marine Resources, and Tourism committees. Notable positions include advocating for a TikTok ban on state-owned devices; he is affiliated with the Gulf Coast Chamber, Mississippi Gulf Coast Association of Realtors, Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, Coastal Conservation Association, Gulf Coast Carnival Association, and Revelers Carnival Association. Father of four children: sons Joel Carter III and Garrett Carter, daughters Georgia and Sophia Carter.

Education and Political Experience

• Attended Gulfport High School
• Attended University of Southern Mississippi

Political Experience

• Elected to Mississippi State Senate District 49 in 2018; re-elected in general election on November 7, 2023
• Chairman, Mississippi Senate Energy Committee
• Member, Senate committees: Corrections, Finance, Highways and Transportation, Investigate State Offices, Labor, Ports and Marine Resources, Tourism