2008 Indiana's 7th congressional district special election

Candidates

On January 11, the Democratic caucus chose André Carson to run in the March 11 special election. On January 12, the Republicans chose Jon Elrod as their candidate and the Libertarian caucus nominated Sean Shepard.

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
  • Carl Drummer – Center Township Trustee
  • Woody Meyers – Former State Health Commissioner
  • Bart Peterson – Former Indianapolis Mayor
  • Greg Porter – State Representative, District 96
  • Robin Winston – Former State Party Chairman

Libertarian

• Sean Shepard – Small business owner

Republican

• Jon Elrod – State Representative, District 97
• Ran for Nomination
  • 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

References

References

1. [http://www.in.gov/gov/files/EO_08-01.pdf Executive Order 08-01] {{webarchive. link. (February 16, 2008 Mitch Daniels. January 7, 2008.)
2. [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]]''
3. link. (2008-03-14 ; [http://imcwwa2k3.indygov.org/elecnight/2008spec/view.asp Official results] {{Webarchive). link. (2008-03-15)
4. [http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7614878 Andre Carson is Democratic nominee for 7th Congressional seat] [[WISH-TV]], January 12, 2008.
5. link. (2008-02-28 Kevin Rader. January 9, 2008.)
6. [http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G08/IN.phtml The Green Papers: Indiana 2008 General Election] Green Papers, January 21, 2008.
7. [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''.
8. [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''.
9. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080226031757/http://lpinonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=1 LPIN selects Sean Shepard for District 7 Congressional special election]
10. [http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7618727 Republicans chose State Representative for 7th Congressional seat] January 13, 2008. ''[[WISH-TV]]''
11. [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]]''
12. (March 11, 2008). "7th District, Special Election". Marion County Clerk.