Several people gathered in the parking lot outside Rep. John Carter's office in Georgetown on Monday, the eve of the Nov. 3 election. Carter, 84, is seeking a 13th term representing Texas' 31st Congressional District. Supporters of Early, who is running against Carter, said the congressman has been largely absent from the campaign trail in recent months.
Early, 46, said he has not been able to speak with Carter or his campaign staff since Early entered the race. He said the two had agreed to speak at a public forum in April, but that Carter stopped responding after the March primaries. Early said he brought coffee and donuts to talk with Carter in the parking lot. Carter did not come out, and none of his office staff did either. Early said he is worried about Carter's ability to serve constituents if he is re-elected.
In a brief phone call with KUT News on Monday, Carter said he is "perfectly well enough to hold office" and will be back in Washington next week. He said he has had "issues at home" that he needed to handle, but that he has always attended to what he needs to do. Carter also said he is not too concerned about the race with Early.