Indianapolis, Indiana – A primary challenge is brewing for long-serving Indiana Congressman André Carson as former statewide candidate Destiny Wells entered the Democratic race for the state’s 7th Congressional District on . The filing came just before the deadline, adding an unexpected twist to what was expected to be a relatively straightforward re-election bid for Carson, who has represented the district since .
Wells, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and an attorney, has twice sought statewide office in Indiana, running for Secretary of State in and Attorney General in . While unsuccessful in those bids, she has demonstrated an ability to energize segments of the Democratic base and has been increasingly vocal in her criticism of the party establishment. She narrowly lost a bid to become Indiana Democratic Party chair.
“It’s a good day for democracy when more people run for elected office,” Carson said in a statement following Wells’ entry into the race. He also emphasized the importance of Democratic unity as the party aims to regain control of the House and Senate, framing the primary contest as an opportunity for “healthy debate” and “free speech.”
Wells’ decision to challenge Carson comes as other candidates have also filed for the Democratic nomination. George Hornedo, Denise Paul Hatch and Pierre Quincy Pullins have all entered the race, setting the stage for a potentially competitive primary. On the Republican side, Patrick McAuley and Felipe Rios are vying for the nomination.
The 7th Congressional District, centered in Indianapolis, is considered a heavily Democratic stronghold. Carson has consistently won re-election by wide margins, securing nearly 70% of the vote in the general election. In previous primaries, his victories have been even more decisive, winning over 90% of the vote in both and .
Despite Carson’s strong track record, Hornedo has already mounted a significant fundraising effort, raising $203,889 last year, including a $55,000 loan to himself. While Carson has a substantial fundraising advantage with $641,825 raised and $646,296 cash on hand, Hornedo’s campaign has demonstrated a willingness to challenge the incumbent. Wells’ entrance into the race could further reshape the fundraising landscape, as she recently transferred $15,000 from her state campaign account to a new political action committee, “The Good Fight.”
Wells first gained prominence in Indiana Democratic circles during her campaign for Secretary of State. Although she lost to Diego Morales by a margin of 54% to 40%, she outperformed other Democrats on the ballot that year, even winning the traditionally Republican-leaning suburban city of Carmel. Her background includes military service in Afghanistan and experience as a deputy attorney general in Indiana.
In , Wells secured the Democratic nomination for Attorney General, defeating Beth White at the state convention. However, she was ultimately defeated by Todd Rokita in the general election by a wide margin of 59% to 41%. Following that loss, Wells stated, “change is incremental,” and asserted that Indiana was “swinging back to the left.”
The primary contest is expected to focus on issues of accountability and trust in politics, as highlighted by Hornedo’s statement welcoming Wells to the race. He argued that “competition can be healthy and the people of the 7th District deserve leadership that takes accountability seriously and is willing to do the work required to rebuild trust in our politics.”
While the outcome of the primary remains uncertain, Wells’ entry into the race signals a potential shift in the dynamics of Indiana’s 7th Congressional District. Her willingness to challenge a long-standing incumbent and her appeal to progressive voters could present a formidable challenge to Carson’s re-election bid. The May primary election will be a key test of the strength of the Democratic party in Indiana and the direction of its future.
