The ballots are set for the May 6 primary to fill the Democratic spot to replace the late Rep. Julia Carson (D).

Carson’s grandson, Indianapolis City-County Councilor André Carson (D), already was chosen by party activists to run on the ticket in the March 11 special election against state Rep. Jon Elrod (R). That election seeks to elect a Member to serve out the remainder of the 110th Congress. However, candidates filed across the state to run in the May primary for a full term.

On the Democratic side, Carson is joined by state Reps. Carolene Mays and David Orentlicher and former state Health Commissioner Woody Myers. Four other lesser- known candidates also filed for the primary.

For the Republicans, Elrod filed for the May primary and is joined by two politically unknown candidates.

The district that includes Indianapolis has traditionally voted for Democrats; however, recent anti-incumbency trends in the region last year give Republicans hope of taking the seat.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently spent more than $44,700 in independent expenditures on behalf of Carson’s campaign, in addition to sending one of its press aides out to the district for the duration of the special election. Carson also is included in the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” program, which — with the exception of Carson — helps challengers in Republican districts.
— Shira Toeplitz