Democrat · Indiana's 7th District · 2026
André Carson
Carson grew up on Indianapolis's east side and graduated from Arsenal Tech High School.
Biography
André Carson grew up on Indianapolis' east side and graduated from Arsenal Tech High School.1 He is the father of a daughter.2 In 2008, he won a special election to succeed his grandmother, Julia Carson, after her death.3
He earned a bachelor's in criminal justice management at Concordia University Wisconsin and a master's in business management at Indiana Wesleyan.1 His earlier career included service with the Indiana Excise Police and on the Indianapolis City-County Council.3.1 He also worked in intelligence and counterterrorism for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and at the state's intelligence fusion center.1
The Democrat serves on the House Intelligence, Transportation and Infrastructure, and China select committees.1 He was the first Muslim member of the Intelligence Committee.1 As a subcommittee chairman, he led a public hearing on unidentified aerial phenomena, the first congressional hearing on that subject in more than 50 years.1 Back in Indianapolis, his office hosts annual job and youth opportunities fairs.1
His current platform supports expanding Pell Grants, protecting Medicaid and Medicare, and increasing federal resources for affordable housing and homelessness services.4 He opposes Social Security benefit cuts and raising the retirement age.4 His transportation priorities include stronger public transit and maintaining and expanding conventional passenger rail.4
Record and controversies
2011 Tea Party remarks
At an August 2011 Congressional Black Caucus jobs event, Carson said some Tea Party members of Congress would like him and his audience "hanging on a tree."5 Republican Allen West called the remarks reprehensible and considered leaving the caucus.5 Carson told AP he wished he had chosen a different analogy but stood by the substance, saying he meant extremist elements rather than the movement's well meaning supporters.5