Robert J. Carter, district attorney general for Tennessee’s 17th Judicial District, has announced his plans to seek re-election to the position in the upcoming 2022 election.  

“Today, I am honored and excited to officially announce that I am running for re-election as the district attorney for the 17th Judicial District. (The 17th Judicial District of Tennessee includes Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall and Moore counties.) As the current district attorney general, I am prepared to pursue this election and ask for your vote.”  

Carter has served in this current capacity since being appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam in 2012 and was re-elected in 2014. Carter had previously served as an assistant district attorney since 2010. He said he’s honored to serve the citizens of these four counties and all members of the respective communities.  

“I consider it an honor and a privilege to serve in this position and I strive daily to meet the high expectations of this important office. The men and women in my office work diligently and tirelessly to gather evidence and prosecute thousands of cases on an annual basis. My continued goal, as a public servant, is to seek justice in the interests of the people and those victimized by crime through compassion, hard work and integrity,” said Carter. 

“I believe the work my office has performed since my appointment has been extremely productive and successful. Moreover, I continue to believe that the integrity, leadership, and structure I have implemented in the district attorney’s office as well as the community dialogue that has resulted has helped to move our district forward in a most positive manner.  

“Our great team of assistant district attorneys and staff have maintained a high conviction rate, made our mark in the fight against sex offenders, protected victims through legislation, increased protections for our elderly and vulnerable adults, and partnered with law enforcement in the 17th Judicial District and surrounding counties in an effort to stop the revolving door to prison.”  

Carter added, “There is more work to do, and I ask that you re-elect me in August 2022, so that I can continue this most important work. I am committed as the district attorney general to continue these positive efforts and working to continue protecting and serving our citizens. I humbly ask for your support and vote so that we can continue to work as hard as we can for this judicial district.”  

Carter and wife, Kristin Carter, live in Fayetteville with their two children. An honors graduate of Cumberland University in Lebanon, Carter earned his law degree from the University of Memphis, Cecil B. Humphreys School of Law, in 2006. In Nashville, he worked with the law firm of Smith Cashion & Orr, PLC from May 2006 to December 2010, handling complex construction disputes and litigation. He has been admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the western, middle and eastern districts of Tennessee and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.  

Carter concluded, “I am more committed than ever to serving the people of Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall and Moore counties as their district attorney general. I intend to continue to hold criminals accountable, protect victims of crime and keep our neighborhoods safe,” he said.  

“Protecting public safety and serving the interests of justice were my passion in 2012 and continue today. As I said in 2014, our families deserve a district attorney general who will serve with integrity, efficiency and a law-and-order spirit, and that is exactly what I intend to continue doing.”