Carlton Mahone Sr.'s campaign for state representative is his first entry into politics.

Carlton is the current pastor of the Holsey Monumental CME Church in Columbus, GA. Over the past 40 years, he has served in pastorates in Georgia, Alaska, Ohio, and Washington. He currently serves on the Talbot County Board of Education, and previously served as the Executive Director for Children and Youth Commission at the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, as well as chairman of the EvenStart Federal literacy program.

Carlton was born in Atlanta. He attended Ruth Carter High School, Morris Brown College, and the United Theological Seminary. He has a wife and 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.