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Indiana: DCCC Takes No Chances in Special House Election

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has dropped $151,500 worth of independent expenditures into the special election for the Indianapolis-based seat formerly held by the late Rep. Julia Carson (D).

Indianapolis City-County Councilman André Carson, the late Congresswoman’s grandson, is the Democratic nominee for the special election March 11, where he will face state Rep. Jon Elrod (R). The district routinely votes Democratic in presidential elections.

“We’re confident that Indiana 7 will stay blue,” DCCC spokesman Doug Thornell said. “André Carson connects with voters on the values and issues they most care about and he will fight for change in Washington. [But] the reality is that this is a special election and you can’t take anything for granted, you have to make sure voters know about the election and turn out to vote.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee had not put any funds into the race as of Monday.

“Propping up André Carson’s flawed candidacy has turned into a lingering headache for the DCCC,” NRCC spokesman Ken Spain said. “Apparently, Carson’s ethical baggage and thin résumé have left the voters of this deep blue district with something to be desired.”

However, next Tuesday does not mark the end of the electoral road for Elrod and Carson. On May 6, both candidates will be on the ballot again for their respective party primaries to compete for a full term in the next Congress.
— Shira Toeplitz

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