Meet Michael Carter

Where I’m From

First of all, Aurora is my home. Aurora is where my wife, Johanna, has taught for 10 years and my three children, Jaiden, Miles, and Michaela, all attend APS schools. Aurora is where I practice law, protecting some of the most vulnerable in our community. Aurora is where I was elected to serve on the APS School Board. Aurora and HD36 is a vibrant, diverse, exciting community that has so much to offer all of us.

I am the son of a single, unwed mother from a small-town called Taylor, Texas. My step father was in the Army and we moved to Army bases all over the country, eventually winding up stationed in Germany when I was a young teen. Throughout these moves, I learned how important a strong family support system is as well as the value of hard work and that truly loving your country takes sacrifice.

That is why, when I was 18, I joined the Army myself. I did basic training at Fort Sill Oklahoma and AIT at Fort Bliss Texas. As a young man just learning how to be an adult, the Army taught me structure, brought me some of the best friends of my life, and gave me a deep and abiding dedication to service.

What I’ve accomplished

After the Army, I graduated with degrees in African American Studies and Political Science from the University of New Mexico, and then earned my law degree from the University of Denver. I have been a public defender and a private criminal defense attorney ever since - always representing the indigent accused who are guaranteed the right to an attorney under the US Constitution. Every day, I represent folks who are facing big problems and my duty is to work with everyone in the system - prosecutors, judges, probation officers, and others - to find a solution that works for my client and also upholds the values of justice, fairness, and safety. This is also why I have worked on the Judicial Performance Commission in Arapahoe County, to make sure that our judges are doing the right thing. Finding compromise and keeping integrity in the system helps everyone and makes sure things get done the right way.

In 2021, when I decided to run for APS School Board, all I knew is that I wanted to help my community. Since then, I have learned more than I ever thought I would about budgets, state regulations, and the tough decisions that affect the children in our community. It has been an honor to be a part of the APS School Board and it has introduced me to many of the most incredible people in Aurora doing truly amazing things for our kids.

I am running for this office because HD36 and Colorado need a proven leader and a progressive problem solver. From safer schools for students to affordable housing for working families, we need common sense approaches to the big challenges. I am committed to working with other Democrats in the State House and with those across the aisle to make sure that we find solutions that work for all Coloradans and move our state forward.

Our community is special, and we need leaders who understand and will fight for our diverse neighbors. I want to be your voice at the Capitol and make sure that people know that they have a Representative who is truly fighting for them.