REP. ANDRÉ CARSON (D-IN)
André D. Carson (born October 16, 1974) is the U.S. Representative for Indiana’s 7th congressional district, in office since a special election in 2008. The district includes the southern four-fifths of Indianapolis, including downtown. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
He is the grandson of his predecessor, former U.S. Representative Julia Carson (1938–2007). Carson was the second Muslim to be elected to the United States Congress, following Keith Ellison of Minnesota in 2006.
André Carson was born and raised in Indianapolis. He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis and received a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and management from Concordia University Wisconsin (2003), and a master of science degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana (2005). At a young age, Carson’s interest in public service was shaped by his grandmother, the late Congresswoman Julia Carson. Carson grew up in a rough neighborhood, and he credits that experience for shaping his policy views on issues like education, public safety and economic opportunity.
From 1996 to 2005, Carson worked as a compliance officer for the Indiana State Excise Police, the law enforcement arm of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. He was later employed in the anti-terrorism division of Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security and then as a marketing specialist for Cripe Architects + Engineers in Indianapolis. He served as a member of the Indianapolis/Marion city-county council from 2007 to 2008.
