Indiana's 7th congressional district special election, 2008

After the death of 7th district representative Julia Carson (D) on December 15, 2007, a special election was required to fill the vacancy for the rest of the 110th United States Congress. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels set March 11, 2008 as the date for the special election. [http://www.in.gov/gov/files/EO_08-01.pdf Executive Order 08-01] Mitch Daniels. January 7, 2008.] Both political parties had previously agreed to this date. [http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/LOCAL19/801060382 Special election confuses candidates] Brendan O'Shaughnessy January 6, 2008. "The Indianapolis Star"] Democrat André Carson won the election with a 18.17% voter turnout. [ [http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080311/LOCAL18/803110367 Indystar.com: Carson wins seat in 7th District race] ; [http://imcwwa2k3.indygov.org/elecnight/2008spec/view.asp Official results] ]

Candidates

On January 11, the Democratic caucus chose André Carson to run in the March 11 special election. [http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7614878 Andre Carson is Democratic nominee for 7th Congressional seat] WISH-TV, January 12, 2008.] On January 12, the Republicans chose Jon Elrod as their candidate [http://wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=7599763&nav=menu188_2_10 7th District race getting crowded] Kevin Rader. January 9, 2008.] and the Libertarian caucus nominated Sean Shepard. [http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G08/IN.phtml 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 Sheriff [http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712160388 Race 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 Mayor [ [http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071220/LOCAL19/712200478/-1/LOCAL17 Peterson 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 Shepard [ [http://lpinonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=1 LPIN selects Sean Shepard for District 7 Congressional special election] ] - Small business owner

Republican

*Jon Elrod - State Representative, District 97 [http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7618727 Republicans chose State Representative for 7th Congressional seat] January 13, 2008. "WISH-TV"]
*Ran for Nomination [http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/LOCAL19/801060382 4 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 it in 2004 with 50.1%, but after the November 2007 upset of Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson by Republican Greg Ballard, the race could prove competitive. However, in the precincts of the 7th District Democrat Bart Peterson still received 54% of the votes.

Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = André Carson
votes = 45,634
percentage = 53.77%
change = -0.23%Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Jon Elrod
votes = 36,399
percentage = 42.89%
change = -3.11%Election box candidate with party link
party = Libertarian Party (United States)
candidate = Sean Shepard
votes = 2,426
percentage = 2.86%
change = +2.86%Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = "Write-ins"
votes = 47
percentage = 0.06%
change = +0.06%Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = "Other ballots"
votes = 364
percentage = 0.43%
change = +0.43%

Election box turnout
votes = 84,750
percentage = 18.17%
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Democratic Party (US)
loser = Republican Party (US)
swing =

External links

* [http://www.andrecarsonforcongress.com André Carson for Congress]
* [http://www.jonelrod.com Jon Elrod's campaign site]
* [http://shepard2008.com Sean Shepard's campaign site]

References