First District results: Buddy Carter wins re-election over Wade Herring, securing Congress seat

Will Peebles, Savannah Morning News
·2 min read
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Longtime 1st Congressional District Rep. Buddy Carter will be in Congress for another two years after winning Tuesday's midterm election, leading Democratic challenger Wade Herring by more than 40,000 votes by 9:30 p.m.

Carter, a Republican, had claimed 58% of the vote in the race by that time, Herring collected 42% of the 1st District vote.

Carter has held the 1st District in a vice grip since he first won it in 2014. But Herring proved to be an adept fundraiser, with a base strong enough to beat Carter's 2020 challenger Joyce Griggs in the primary runoff.

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Congressman Buddy Carter speaks during a campaign event for US Senate candidate Herschel Walker on Wednesday November 2, 2022 in Richmond Hill, Georgia.
Congressman Buddy Carter speaks during a campaign event for US Senate candidate Herschel Walker on Wednesday November 2, 2022 in Richmond Hill, Georgia.

Herring, a first-time politician, made waves locally, especially in Savannah, during his campaign. But ultimately, it wasn't enough to beat Carter, who adds another name to the list of Democratic challengers toppled in his wake.

For Carter, it means he's cleared to keep working, and pursuing the coveted House Budget Committee Chairman seat. Carter told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he wants to become Budget chair because he believes it is past time to balance the books and begin bringing down the national debt. He said that can be done by tightening the eligibility for programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

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Congressman Earl "Buddy" Carter waits for the print out of his ballot to scan on Tuesday November 8, 2022 at Rothwell Street Baptist Church in Pooler, Georgia.
Congressman Earl "Buddy" Carter waits for the print out of his ballot to scan on Tuesday November 8, 2022 at Rothwell Street Baptist Church in Pooler, Georgia.

Carter hasn't lost an election since he first started politics 28 years ago. With his next term sealed, the next time he runs for election will be in his third uninterrupted decade of politics.

Will Peebles is the City Council and County Commission reporter for Savannah Morning News, covering local Savannah and Chatham County decisions. He can be reached at wpeebles@savannahnow.com or on Twitter @willpeeblesSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia Election Results: Buddy Carter re-elected to U.S. House seat