Carlton has been civically involved his entire adult life, first running for elected office at the age of 26. He was the first to declare his candidacy, then as a Republican, for what later became an open seat for Utah’s 2nd congressional district. Carlton finished 4th of 6 candidates in the GOP state convention.

Carlton ran for the U.S. Senate as an Independent American in the year 2000. He ran because incumbent Senator Hatch, who had been chair of the Senate Judiciary committee, was putting forth Supreme Court nominees who weren’t Pro Life. Carlton finished 3rd on the general ballot, beating the Libertarian party candidate.

Carlton ran for and was elected to the American Fork City Council in 2013. Carlton ran because the American Fork City chief of police had written a letter opposing Constitutional Carry legislation. The legislation had passed both chambers of the Utah State legislature, but then Governor Herbert vetoed the legislation, citing in part opposition from some city’s chief of police. Thankfully Constitutional Carry legislation was later passed and signed into Utah law. Carlton served on the city council from January 2014 to January 2018, voting against unconstitutional spending. He sponsored and passed a resolution recognizing Constitution Day in American Fork City.