US Representative for Texas' 31st district. After a successful career in a private law practice and then as a Judge for Texas' 277th district court, Carter retired from the bench in 2001 to run for Congress in the newly created 31st. Early life and Education: Born in Houston, TX., on November 6, 1941; graduated from Bellaire High School, Houston, TX, 1960; B.A., Texas Tech University, Lubock, TX., 1964; J.D., University of Texas Law School, 1969;