Governor sets March 11 election to replace Carson

INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mitch Daniels has set a special election for March 11 to select the late Rep. Julia Carson’s successor.\nDaniels issued an executive order Monday setting the date, and a writ of election was delivered to the Marion County clerk. State Republican and Democratic leaders had agreed on the March 11 date.\nCarson died Dec. 15 from complications caused by lung cancer. Her term in the state’s 7th District, which covers most of Indianapolis, runs through 2008.\nDemocrats will caucus Saturday to determine their nominee for the special election. They will then gather again Feb. 16 to choose a slate of candidates for the May primary.\nRepublicans will hold their caucus Sunday. They will start by selecting their preferred candidate for the seat in the primary, then will choose a nominee for the special election.\nTwo Republicans have announced their intentions to seek the 7th District seat: Tom Rose, a public policy adviser to former Indianapolis mayor Stephen Goldsmith, and state Rep. Jon Elrod, R-Indianapolis. Rose had filed paperwork for his candidacy with the county party last week, while Elrod had not. Elrod had registered with the Federal Election Commission to raise money for the campaign.\nOn the Democratic side, Carson’s grandson, City-County Councilman Andre Carson, filed last week. Two other Democrats have done the same: Marion County Treasurer Michael Rodman and Ice Miller attorney Randle Pollard.\nThe last time a special election for Congress was held in Indiana was March 28, 1989. Jill Long Thompson, a former Valparaiso City Council member, was elected to serve in the seat vacated by Dan Coats.