[1] He graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1985 and then served in the United States Navy from 1985 until 1991.
[2][3] Carpenter was elected to the Oregon House in 1994, defeating Democrat Jeanne Atkins by less than a hundred votes to represent a district which included all Portland suburbs north of Sunset Highway, as well as Cedar Hills, Sauvie Island, and the rural areas in between.
The bill was denied a committee hearing, so Carpenter attempted to force a vote directly on the House floor.
He was challenged in the 1998 primary by "ultra-conservative" Bill Witt, a two-time congressional candidate who had the backing of anti-gay organizations.
[4][8] Carpenter drew fire from gay rights activists, including from the Log Cabin Republicans, for endorsing Gordon Smith for U.S. Senate in 1996.