In 1948, 1950, and 1956, Carter was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the U.S. House seat held by Karl M. LeCompte. He formally challenged the outcome of the 1956 election, but in 1958 Congress rejected his challenge. When LeCompte did not seek re-election in 1958, Carter ran again for the House, and won, defeating Republican John Henry Kyl.
Carter had suffered from cancer before his election to Congress, but believed that he had fully recovered. However, during his first month in Congress doctors determined that the cancer had returned, and he was soon hospitalized.[1] Carter served from January 3, 1959, until his death in Bethesda, Maryland, on November 4, 1959.[2] Kyl then won a special election to fill the vacancy.