Indiana Voters May Send Second Muslim to Congress
Posted Jan 16, 2008

Indiana Voters May Send Second Muslim to Congress


Andre Carson nominated as Democratic Party Candidate for Congress in Indiana 7th District Becoming the First Muslim Hoosier to be nominated by either party to be candidate for Congress

Indianapolis City-Councilman Andre Carson, grandson of Congresswoman Julia Carson, became the first Muslim in Indiana history to be nominated as the Democratic Party’s candidate for Congress.  Carson competed against 7 other Democrats in the Marion County Democratic Party Caucus and defeated the other candidates.  It never had to go to a second ballot this morning. Andre Carson, Julia Carson’s grandson, emerged as the clear winner with over 220 votes. He needed a majority of over 100 to win. State Rep. David Orentlicher came in second. He was the only other candidate who scored in the triple digits.

He defeated well known Democratic Party politicians including State Rep. David Orentlicher, State Rep Carolene Mays, Marion County Treasurer Michael Rodman and Indianapolis City-Council Minority Leader Joanne Sanders.

Andre Carson must run in a special election on March 11, 2008 against the Republican nominee who will be selected Sunday, January 13, 2008.  The special election will include one those Marion County residents that are registered to vote prior to February 9, 2008 will be able to cast a vote.  While this seat is traditionally Democratic, special elections can go either way and depend upon turn-out. 

Andre Carson has received numerous endorsements.

André Carson is a 33 year-old native of Indianapolis, raised and mentored by his grandmother, Congresswoman Julia Carson. He currently serves as an elected member of the Indianapolis/Marion County City-County Council. He is a long-standing precinct committeeperson in Center Township. André was taught to value education. He is a graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, where his passions for law enforcement first took hold. André went on to obtain a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice Management from Concordia University-Wisconsin and a Masters in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. André‘s law enforcement background consists of nearly a full decade of public service. He has served as a Local Board Officer/Investigator for the Indiana State Excise Police for nine years, throughout Indiana. As our nation’s growing concern for Homeland Security developed, André was detailed to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Intelligence Fusion Center. There he worked on an anti-terrorism department to provide Indianapolis and all of Indiana with the security measures necessary for our physical safety. His winning ways and ability to connect concepts with reality brought him into the world of marketing, where he is currently a marketing specialist for Cripe Architects & Engineers. André believes that community involvement contributes greatly to the cultural advantage that makes Indianapolis a world-class city. He has spent much of his time working with organizations that share this commitment. As a member of the IndyParks Kennedy/King Park Advisory Board, André has been able to demonstrate his dedication to providing safe, clean and quality parks for our community. His commitment to Indianapolis neighborhoods has led André to also serve as a board member for the Citizens Neighborhood Coalition. The Citizens Neighborhood Coalition is an umbrella organization representing all neighborhood organizations within its boundaries of 10th Street on the south, 30th Street on the north, Pennsylvania Street on the west, and the Monon Trail on the east. He and his wife Mariama, a professional educator in the Pike Township Schools, are the proud parents of their one year-old daughter, Salimah. They have lived in the Fall Creek Place neighborhood for five years.