Andre Carson

André Carson
Born	André Dale Carson 16 10, 1974
Birthplace	Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	Member of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana's 7th congressional district
Known for	U.S. Representative for Indiana's 7th congressional district; one of the first Muslims elected to the United States Congress
Education	Concordia University Wisconsin (B.S.); Indiana Wesleyan University (M.S.)

André Dale Carson (born October 16, 1974) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 7th congressional district, a seat centered on Indianapolis, Indiana. First elected in a 2008 special election to succeed his grandmother, Julia Carson, he has held the seat continuously since then, making him one of the longest-serving members of the Indiana congressional delegation. Carson is one of the first Muslims to serve in the United States Congress, a distinction that has drawn national attention throughout his career. Before entering Congress, Carson worked in law enforcement and intelligence, experiences that have shaped his legislative focus on national security, transportation, and civil rights. His district, encompassing most of Indianapolis and surrounding areas, has been a Democratic stronghold for decades, though recent redistricting efforts by Indiana's Republican-controlled legislature have raised questions about the district's future composition.

Early Life

André Dale Carson was born on October 16, 1974, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was raised by his grandmother, Julia Carson, who would go on to become a prominent Indiana politician in her own right, serving in the Indiana state legislature before winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996. Growing up in Indianapolis, Carson was exposed to the intersection of politics and community service from an early age through his grandmother's career in public life.

Carson converted to Islam as a young adult, a personal decision that would later make him a historic figure in American politics. He is one of only a small number of Muslims to have served in the United States Congress, following Keith Ellison of Minnesota, who was sworn in during 2007.

Before entering politics, Carson pursued a career in law enforcement and public safety. He worked for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and served as an investigator in the anti-terrorism division. This background in intelligence and security would later inform his work on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, one of the most prominent committee assignments in Congress.

Education

Carson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice management from Concordia University Wisconsin. He later obtained a Master of Science degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University, furthering his academic credentials before and during his early career in public service.

Career

Entry into Congress

Carson's path to Congress was directly linked to the legacy of his grandmother, Julia Carson, who represented Indiana's 7th congressional district from 1997 until her death on December 15, 2007. Following Julia Carson's passing, a special election was called to fill the vacancy. André Carson won the Democratic primary and then the special election on March 11, 2008, defeating Republican Jon Elrod and Libertarian Sean Shepard. He was sworn into office shortly thereafter, taking over the seat his grandmother had held for over a decade.

Later that same year, Carson ran for and won a full term in the November 2008 general election, solidifying his hold on the district. He has been reelected in every subsequent cycle, often by substantial margins, reflecting the Democratic composition of the Indianapolis-centered district. The Carson family's connection to Indiana's 7th district has been described as one of the most enduring political legacies in the state's history.

Committee Assignments and Legislative Work

Throughout his tenure in Congress, Carson has served on several key committees. He has been a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where his pre-congressional experience in anti-terrorism and homeland security has been relevant. He has also served on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, a post that has allowed him to advocate for infrastructure investments in Indiana and across the country.

Carson's work on transportation issues has been a significant component of his legislative portfolio. In September 2025, Carson joined with Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee to introduce the Aviation Funding Stability Act, legislation aimed at ensuring stable funding mechanisms for the nation's aviation infrastructure. The bill was introduced by Cohen, the former Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, and Carson, representing Indiana's 7th district, reflecting their shared interest in transportation policy.

Immigration and Civil Liberties

Carson has been an outspoken voice on immigration policy, particularly regarding the role and conduct of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In early 2026, Carson called for the reform or abolition of ICE, citing what he described as recent shootings and a lack of respect for constitutional principles in the agency's enforcement actions. In an interview with WISH-TV, Carson stated his position plainly: "Reform ICE or abolish it," framing the issue as one of constitutional fidelity and civil liberties.

In February 2026, Carson also weighed in on the announcement that ICE would be opening a new office in Carmel, Indiana, a suburb north of Indianapolis. Carson shared his concerns about the impact of expanded immigration enforcement on local communities, joining other city leaders in commenting on the development.

Constituent Services

Carson has maintained an active constituent services operation in Indianapolis, working through his congressional office to assist residents with federal agency matters, immigration cases, and other issues. In January 2026, Carson's office facilitated the reunification of a Haitian family at the Julia M. Carson Center in Indianapolis, an event that drew local media coverage and highlighted the congressman's engagement with immigrant communities in his district. The Julia M. Carson Center, named after his grandmother, serves as a hub for community outreach and federal services in the district.

Redistricting Challenges

As of 2025, Carson's hold on Indiana's 7th congressional district faces a potential challenge not from an opposing candidate but from the redistricting process itself. In November 2025, Axios reported that Indiana Republicans' redistricting effort could draw Carson out of the seat his family has held for nearly three decades. The Republican-controlled Indiana state legislature has the authority to redraw congressional boundaries, and analysts noted that if the redistricting plan proceeds as expected, the 7th district could be significantly altered in ways that would make it less favorable to Carson and Democrats more broadly.

The potential loss of the district as currently constituted would end one of the longest-running family political legacies in Indiana congressional history. Julia Carson first won the 7th district seat in 1996, and André Carson has held it since 2008, meaning the Carson family has represented the district for nearly 30 years.

2026 Primary Challenge

In February 2026, Democrat Destiny Wells filed to challenge Carson in the Democratic primary election for the 7th congressional district, adding a new dimension to what had typically been uncontested or lightly contested primary races for Carson. Wells, who entered the race at the last minute, became another primary election challenger for the incumbent congressman, signaling that Carson might face a more competitive intra-party contest than in previous cycles.

The combination of redistricting pressures and primary challengers has created the most uncertain political environment Carson has faced since his initial election in 2008. The outcome of both the redistricting process and the primary election could determine whether the Carson family's presence in Congress continues into a fourth decade.

Personal Life

Carson resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he has lived for most of his life. He is a practicing Muslim, a faith he adopted as a young adult. His religious identity has made him a prominent figure among Muslim Americans in public life and has occasionally drawn both national attention and scrutiny.

Carson has spoken publicly about his close relationship with his grandmother, Julia Carson, who raised him and whose political career served as the foundation for his own entry into public service. The Julia M. Carson Center in Indianapolis, which serves as a community resource hub, bears her name and continues to be associated with the congressman's constituent outreach efforts.

Carson has maintained connections with civil rights leaders and organizations throughout his career. In February 2026, following the death of Jesse Jackson at age 84, Carson paid tribute to the civil rights icon's impact on the struggle for social justice in America. Speaking with WISH-TV, Carson highlighted Jackson's influence on civil rights movements and his legacy in shaping the political landscape for leaders of color across the country. WTHR also noted that Jackson left an impact on Indiana leaders and communities, with Carson among those who publicly reflected on the reverend's legacy.

Recognition

Carson's status as one of the first Muslims elected to the United States Congress has brought him national recognition and invitations to speak on issues of religious diversity, civil liberties, and representation in American politics. He has been a recurring figure in discussions about the role of Muslim Americans in public life, particularly following periods of heightened national debate over immigration and religious freedom.

His work on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has also earned him recognition within Congress as a member with direct experience in law enforcement and anti-terrorism operations, lending credibility to his participation in classified briefings and intelligence oversight.

In his district, Carson's name is closely associated with the legacy of Julia Carson, and the Julia M. Carson Center continues to serve as a symbol of the family's long-standing service to the Indianapolis community. His constituent services work, including efforts such as the January 2026 Haitian family reunification, has sustained his local profile as an accessible and active representative.

Carson's legislative work on transportation and aviation policy, including the co-introduction of the Aviation Funding Stability Act in 2025, has further established his role as a member engaged in infrastructure issues affecting both his district and the nation.

Legacy

The Carson family's representation of Indiana's 7th congressional district spans nearly three decades, beginning with Julia Carson's election in 1996 and continuing through André Carson's service from 2008 to the present. This unbroken family presence in Congress is one of the most notable political legacies in Indiana history and among the longer-running family-held congressional seats in the United States.

Carson's identity as one of the first Muslim members of Congress has placed him in a unique position in American political history. Alongside Keith Ellison, who preceded him, Carson's service has contributed to the normalization of religious diversity among elected officials at the federal level. His presence in Congress has been cited in broader discussions about the representation of minority religious communities in American government.

His career in Congress has also bridged multiple political eras, from the final years of the George W. Bush administration through the Obama presidency, the Trump administration, the Biden administration, and beyond. Throughout these periods, Carson has maintained his seat in a district that, while reliably Democratic, sits within a state that has trended Republican in statewide and presidential elections.

The potential reshaping of Indiana's 7th district through redistricting, as reported by Axios in November 2025, raises the possibility that the Carson era in Indianapolis politics may face its most significant structural challenge. Whether the district survives in a form favorable to Carson or is redrawn to dilute its Democratic composition will be a significant development in Indiana's political landscape and may determine the ultimate duration of the Carson family's congressional legacy.