"and they would make a decision based on that". It was reported that McCarter filed a police statement over the incident. After the Senate redistricting, parts of the old 51st, 54th, and 58th districts were combined to create the new 54th Senate District. Another incumbent Republican, John O. Jones, was also drawn into the 54th district. However, Jones failed to adequately meet the petition filing requirements and did not appear on the ballot. After Jones ruled out an independent bid, McCarter ran successfully for the 54th district. He chose not to seek reelection in 2018. He was succeeded in the Illinois Senate by Jason Plummer. Committee assignments As of the 100th General Assembly, McCarter sits on the following committees: Appropriations II; *Environment and Conservation (Minority Spokesperson); Public Health; Local Government; Labor; and State Government. Legislative positions Energy In a debate in 2012 and later public statements McCarter publicly supported a "clean coal" plant in Taylorville, Illinois. The day after Archer Daniels Midland and Tate & Lyle, both major employers in McCarter's senate district, expressed concern about the project, he changed his position and voted against the bill. Both companies were also donors to his campaign. In response Kurt Erickson of The Southern Illinoisan wrote, "In the process, he became the quintessential politician that voters love to hate: He said one thing on the campaign trail and then reversed himself once safely elected." Anti-bullying bill In May 2012, McCarter voted against a bill in the state senate that would have encouraged public schools to implement anti-bullying programs. McCarter voted against the bill because he believed such programs would be used to promote homosexuality. While answering questions about his vote, McCarter said, "Some of these programs are very good. They indeed encourage kids not to bully. But there are programs throughout the United States, used in some high schools and universities, that really have just a pro-homosexual agenda, and nothing but that." 2016 campaign for U.S. Congress In October 2015, McCarter announced he would be running for the United States House of Representatives for the 15th district against fellow Republican incumbent John Shimkus, rather than run again for State Senate in 2018. While McCarter does not live in the 15th district, he lives close to the border and has said he is looking to move to Effingham. McCarter has received Tea Party support, as well as support from other conservative groups, including