Indiana's 7th congressional district special election of 2008 took place March 11, 2008, to fill the seat in the United States House of Representatives left vacant by the death of 7th district representative Julia Carson (D) on December 15, 2007. The election determined who would fill the vacancy for the rest of the 110th United States Congress. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels set the date for the special election.Executive Order 08-01 Mitch Daniels. January 7, 2008. Both political parties had previously agreed to this date.Special election confuses candidates Brendan O'Shaughnessy January 6, 2008. The Indianapolis Star Democrat André Carson won the election with an 18.17% voter turnout.Indystar.com: Carson wins seat in 7th District race ; Official results
Candidates On January 11, the Democratic caucus chose André Carson to run in the March 11 special election.Andre Carson is Democratic nominee for 7th Congressional seat WISH-TV, January 12, 2008. On January 12, the Republicans chose Jon Elrod as their candidate7th District race getting crowded Kevin Rader. January 9, 2008. and the Libertarian caucus nominated Sean Shepard.The Green Papers: Indiana 2008 General Election Green Papers, January 21, 2008.
Democratic André Carson – Indianapolis City-County Council member, District 15, and Julia Carson's grandson Ran for Nomination Carolene Mays – State Representative, District 94 David Orentlicher – State Representative, District 86 Randle Pollard – Attorney Michael Rodman – Marion County Treasurer Joanne Sanders – Indianapolis City-County Council Minority leader, At-Large Jeff White – John Marshall Middle School Principal Frances Nelson Williams – Methodist Hospital Chaplain Declined to Run Frank J. Anderson – Marion County SheriffRace for seat could divide Dems Brendan O'Shaughnessy. December 16, 2007. The Indianapolis Star. Carl Drummer – Center Township Trustee Woody Meyers – Former State Health Commissioner Bart Peterson – Former Indianapolis MayorPeterson won't seek Carson's House seat Brendan O'Shaughnessy. December 20, 2007. The Indianapolis Star. Greg Porter – State Representative, District 96 Robin Winston – Former State Party Chairman
Libertarian Sean ShepardLPIN selects Sean Shepard for District 7 Congressional special election – Small business owner
Republican Jon Elrod – State Representative, District 97Republicans chose State Representative for 7th Congressional seat January 13, 2008. WISH-TV Ran for Nomination4 Republicans enter race to replace Carson Dan McFeely January 11, 2008. The Indianapolis Star Gabrielle Campo – Social worker Thomas Rose – Radio talk show host and aide to former Mayor Stephen Goldsmith Greg Stroude – Real estate broker Declined to Run Eric Dickerson – Businessman, Julia Carson's 2006 challenger
Environment
The district, which covers most of Marion County, is considered difficult for Republicans. It includes most of what was the city of Indianapolis before the creation of Unigov in 1970, and includes most of the more Democratic areas of the county. John Kerry won the 7th district in 2004 with 58%, but after the November 2007 upset of Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson by Republican Greg Ballard, the race was assumed to be competitive. However, in the precincts of the 7th District Democrat Bart Peterson still received 54% of the votes.
Results
External links André Carson for Congress Jon Elrod's campaign site Sean Shepard's campaign site
References