Meet Rep. Brenda Carter

State Representative Brenda Carter is currently serving her fourth term representing Michigan’s 53rd House District, which includes the city of Pontiac and portions of Waterford and Auburn Hills. She is a dedicated public servant with a strong commitment to financial services, insurance, health policy and community advocacy.

Born in Detroit, Representative Carter is the fifth of thirteen children of John H. Canty and Mary S. Wallace. She graduated from high school in Detroit and pursued higher education at Michigan State University, Spring Arbor College and Oakland University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational design and a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in local government. Additionally, she is a graduate fellow of the Michigan Political Leadership Program and a certified grant writer and fiscal consultant.

Representative Carter has distinguished herself as a leader in financial services, insurance, and health policy, both in Michigan and nationally. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of Banking, Financial Services and Insurance for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and as the Chair of Life Insurance and Financial Planning for the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). In these roles, she has worked to shape policies that promote consumer protection, financial literacy and equitable access to financial services. Her efforts have contributed to legislative advancements aimed at improving transparency in the insurance industry and expanding financial security for working families.

A staunch advocate for accessible and affordable healthcare, Representative Carter has played a key role in advancing policies to address rising healthcare costs and disparities in care. She has actively engaged with stakeholders, including the Michigan Health Purchaser’s Coalition (MHPC), to explore solutions that prioritize affordability and quality healthcare outcomes. Additionally, she has championed legislation to protect underserved communities, particularly in the areas of minority maternal health and healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

Prior to her work in the legislature, Representative Carter was a strong advocate for public education, holding leadership roles at the local, county and national levels. She previously served as President of the Pontiac Board of Education from 2015 to 2018 and President of the Michigan Association of School Boards from 2016 to 2017. During her tenure, she played a key role in education policy and governance, advocating for student success and improved educational outcomes. Additionally, she was a member of organizations such as the Council of Urban Boards of Education, the National School Board Association and the Oakland County School Board Association.

Her leadership and advocacy extend beyond education. In 1975, she joined the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, where she held several significant positions, including state director of education, grand trustee, grand auditor and grand directress of public relations. She is also a founding member of the Million Woman March, a role that led her on a global speaking tour, including engagements across the United States, northeastern Africa, Israel, Egypt and the Caribbean. Notably, she had the honor of opening for then-Senator Barack Obama at one of these events.

As the first woman to hold the seat of state representative for Michigan’s 53rd District, Representative Carter has been a trailblazer in policy and community initiatives. She established five district task force groups focusing on veterans’ services, poverty and homelessness, minority maternal health and criminal justice reform. Additionally, she is the chair and co-founder of the bipartisan and bicameral Poverty and Homelessness Caucus, advocating for solutions to address systemic inequalities.

Representative Carter resides in Pontiac, Michigan, with her husband, Randy. She is a proud mother of six children and grandmother to five. Her lifelong dedication to service continues to inspire and uplift the communities she represents.