Democratic U.S. Rep. André Carson has been declared the winner of his 7th District primary by the Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ, defending his seat of 18-years against his most intense competition yet.
It turns out the incumbent advantage remains strong in this unusually primary-challenge-heavy election season: With two-thirds of precincts reporting to Decision Desk HQ, Carson soared ahead with 65% of the vote.
Three other Democrats battled him for the Democratic nomination. Destiny Wells has run two statewide campaigns and a bid for state party chair. George Hornedo has flooded the streets and phone lines with his signs, calls and texts. Denise Paul Hatch is a former Marion County constable who’s made headlines in the past.
Wells is coming in second, with 22% of the vote. Hornedo has come in at 10% of the vote so far. Hatch has about 4%.
Democrats have a chance of taking the majority in Congress in the midterms, meaning Marion County’s representative could have some sway in decision-making on Capitol Hill.
Marion County has historically struggled with low voter turnout, which makes beating a longtime incumbent even more of an uphill battle for these challengers. Then again, this election, there’s been a surge in interest from voters ― as of May 3, early voting figures in Marion County were nearly double what they were at that point of early voting last cycle, a presidential election year.
Still, the challengers couldn’t come close to Carson’s campaign war chest. He had about $630,000 in the bank heading into peak primary season, compared to Wells’ $33,000 and George Hornedo’s $24,000.
Carson’s entry to Congress in 2008 was through a special election to replace his late grandmother, U.S. Rep. Julia Carson. He’s now a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has touted billions in infrastructure funding he’s helped bring to Indianapolis.
His opponents, most notably Wells and Hornedo, have taken issue with Carson for accepting campaign donations from corporate PACs. Carson, meanwhile, has likened himself a Robin Hood: Take the money and vote for progressive causes anyway.
Hatch was elected constable in 2022, but her term was cut short in 2024 when she pleaded guilty to official misconduct charges. She’s now applying for post-conviction relief.
Hornedo has his own political consulting firm called Hornedo Strategies where he’s worked with former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Texas state Rep. James Talarico.
Wells, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, previously ran unsuccessfully for Indiana secretary of state in 2022 and attorney general in 2024.
Contact Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: U.S. Rep. André Carson’s defends incumbency in 4-way primary
Reporting by Kayla Dwyer, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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