U.S. Rep. André Carson at a rally in Indianapolis on Oct. 26. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Democrat U.S. Rep. André Carson breezily earned himself a return ticket to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, defeating Republican John Schmitz and Libertarian Rusty Johnson.
The Associated Press called the race around 9 p.m. with him leading 69.1% to Schmitz’ 28.3%. Johnson had earned 2.6%. Votes were still being counted.
Carson has represented the 7th Congressional District since 2008, when he won a special election to replace his grandmother, the late U.S. Rep Julia Carson.
Prior to his time in Congress, Carson held a handful of state government positions and briefly served on the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council. He is the second Muslim to be elected to Congress.
The deep-blue district is the most densely populated in Indiana, covering roughly two-thirds of Marion County.