Upon graduating law school and being admitted to the bar, Carter practiced in Bristol, Virginia.
[3][4] Carter enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Counterintelligence Corps during World War II.
[3] Carter was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1948, representing Washington County and Bristol together with J. Walter Gray, and replacing George M. Warren.
[citation needed] He was president of Commonwealth Coal Corporation and member of the board of visitors of Emory and Henry College.
[3] Carter was active in the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as 40 and 8 and Elks social organizations.