[Welcome, Avedon readers! -- Lambert]

2 Ind. congressmen face tough challenges in Tuesday primary

U.S. Rep. Andre Carson has barely had time to settle into his new office in Washington, but he might not want to get too comfortable.

Eight weeks after winning a special election to fill the remainder of his late grandmother's term, Indiana's newest congressman faces a crowded field in Tuesday's Democratic primary for a full two-year term. The race is hard to predict despite support for Carson from state party officials and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. ...

...Carson hopes his brief experience in Washington sets him apart from his seven challengers.

He and two of those challengers _ former state Health Commissioner Woody Myers and state Rep. Carolene Mays _ are black, and some community leaders worry the crowded field will split the black vote. That could give state Rep. David Orentlicher, who is white, an advantage in the district, which is about two-thirds white.

Other Democrats on the ballot are Larry Lamont Ledford, Frances Nelson Williams, Joseph C. "Hippie Joe" Stockett III and Pierre Quincy Pullins. The winner is expected to face Elrod in November, although Cat Ping and Larry Shouse are also seeking the Republican nomination.

Money could make the difference in the race, which will likely attract many first-time voters who are drawn to the polls by the presidential primary between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama but know little about the 7th District candidates.

Myers, former chief medical officer at health insurer WellPoint Inc., has poured more than $1.25 million of his own money into his campaign and ran several TV commercials before Carson aired his first.

"We will see on May 6 how this investment pays off," Myers said. "I'm willing to do what it takes to get the job done."

I don't live in Indiana, so I have no opinion as to who should be nominated, but I know who should not be nominated.

Edit -
This seems to be a very hot race.