André Carson
André Carson | |
---|---|
US Representative André Carson's official photograph, 2009 | |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 7th district | |
Assumed office March 11, 2008 | |
Preceded by | Julia Carson |
Member of the Indianapolis City-County Council from the 15th district | |
In office October 2007 – March 13, 2008 | |
Preceded by | Patrice Abduallah |
Succeeded by | Doris Minton-McNeill |
Personal details | |
Born |
Indianapolis, Indiana | October 16, 1974
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Indianapolis, Indiana |
Alma mater |
Concordia University (WI) Indiana Wesleyan University |
Profession | Law enforcement officer |
Religion | Islam[1] |
Website | Congressman André Carson |
André D. Carson (born October 16, 1974) is the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 7th congressional district, serving since a special election in 2008. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
He is the grandson of his predecessor, former U.S. Representative Julia Carson (1938–2007).[2][3] Carson is the second Muslim to be elected to the United States Congress, following Keith Ellison in 2006.
Early life, education, and career
André Carson was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.[4]
Following his career in law enforcement, Carson was a marketing specialist for Cripe Architects + Engineers in Indianapolis.[4]
Early political career
Before being elected to public office, Carson was a Democratic Party Committeeperson in Indianapolis. In 2007, Carson won a special caucus of the Marion County Democratic Party to become the City-County Councilor for the 15th Council district of Indianapolis-Marion County.[4]
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
Carson is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, New Democrat Coalition and the youngest member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Among others, he is also a member of the Congressional Automotive Caucus, Cancer Action Caucus, Children's Caucus, Climate Change Caucus, Human Rights Caucus, International Conservation Caucus, Labor and Working Families Caucus, Study Group on Public Health, Democratic Budget Group, LGBT Equality Caucus, Military Family Caucus and Renewable/Efficient Energy Caucus. He also serves as the Congressional Black Caucus liaison to the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (CBC Liaison).[5]
In the 2008 Presidential Election, Carson endorsed Senator Barack Obama in April 2008, and later won Obama's endorsement for his own May 2008 Democratic primary battle. Carson was the first member of Indiana's Congressional Delegation to announce his support for then-candidate Obama.[6]
Political positions
Economic recovery
On February 13, 2009, Carson voted to pass the H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787 billion economic stimulus package aimed at helping the economy recover from a deepening worldwide recession. This act included increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks and incentives, and direct assistance to individuals.[7]
The ARRA has led to billions of dollars in investment in Carson's district, including grants to hire more police officers and save teaching jobs, and landmark investments in green technology that will create hundreds of new jobs.[8]
Education
Carson has stated his support for programs that improve teacher education and training, improve aging school infrastructure and increase access to affordable, secondary education.[9]
Carson is the author of H.R. 3147, the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act, which was introduced on July 9, 2009. This legislation establishes a grant program to fund partnerships between educational institutions aimed at providing financial literacy education to young adults and families.
On September 17, 2009, Carson voted to pass H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which will invest in the Pell Grant program and other student financial aid programs to make college more affordable.[7]
Energy and environment
Carson has supported investment in the development of new technologies that will reduce American dependence on foreign oil, create thousands of new jobs and begin to correct the adverse environmental effects of fossil fuels. Carson has opposed legislation to increase offshore drilling for oil or natural gas, instead promoting use of solar, wind, biofuel, biomass, and other renewable fuels.[10]
On June 26, 2009, Carson voted to pass H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which seeks to comprehensively address the effects of climate change by funding development of alternative energy technologies and implementing a cap and trade system.[7]
Health care reform
Carson is a strong supporter of health care reform legislation that increases access to medical care for millions of uninsured Americans and provides a more stable system for those at risk of losing their health insurance. On July 30, 2009, he signed a letter from the Congressional Progressive Caucus to House leadership, calling for a robust public option to be included in any health care reform bill.
He has opposed taxes both on the medical device industry and employer provided health insurance plans as a means to pay for health care reform. Instead, he has called for finding savings in the current health system by reducing waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare system, as well as implementing a surcharge on the wealthiest Americans as a means to cover the costs of reform. He has also voiced his opposition for health care reform legislation that increases the deficit.[11]
On November 7, 2009, Carson voted to pass H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, the House version of legislation designed to reform the American health insurance industry.[7]
Iraq and Afghanistan
Carson believes that "American efforts to capture and kill al Qaeda terrorists have greatly diminished" because of the Iraq War. He has often stated his belief that al Qaeda and the Taliban pose the most imminent threat to the United States, and has pushed for a reduction of troops in Iraq to cover the needs of the current War in Afghanistan.[12]
In August 2009, Carson visited American service members stationed in Iraq.
Housing
Citing a high foreclosure rate in Indianapolis, Carson has named foreclosure prevention and increased affordable housing to be among his top priorities.[13]
On May 7, 2009, Carson voted to pass the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2009 (H
Financial services
Carson has been a Member of the House Committee on Financial Services since taking office in 2008. During this time, the committee has focused on legislation addressing the American financial crisis that began in late 2007.
Carson voted to pass legislation enacting the Troubled Asset Relief Program on October 3, 2008. He has also voted to pass legislation increasing oversight over the Troubled Asset Relief Program, limiting executive pay, reforming sub-prime mortgage markets and regulating the financial industry.[14]
Carson was a cosponsor of H
Carson has voiced his support for legislation creating the Consumer Finance Protection Agency and monitoring systemic risk in the financial sector.[15]
National security
Carson is the only Member of Congress to have served in a Department of Homeland Security Fusion Center. He has voted to increase appropriations funding for the Department of Homeland Security.[7]
Disease prevention
On July 24, 2008, Carson voted to pass the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act (H
Public safety
In 2009, Carson introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at reducing incidents of recidivism. The Recidivism Reduction Act (H
In 2008, Carson helped the City of Indianapolis secure a federal COPS grant to hire more police officers. The grant was awarded as part of the ARRA.[18]
Consumer protection
On June 26, 2009 Carson introduced the Jeremy Warriner Consumer Protection Act (H
Criticism
Tea Party controversy
On March 20, 2010, Carson told reporters that health care protesters outside the Capitol hurled racial slurs at fellow Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) member Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat from Georgia. Carson came off the House floor and told reporters his story about health care protesters hurling racial slurs during their walk from the Cannon House Office Building to the chambers.[20] Conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart offered a $100,000 reward for any proof of these accusations.[21] Although audio and video recordings of the protest have been posted online, no proof of the racial slurs has yet been provided, and the reward remains unclaimed.[22]
On August 28, 2011, Carson told a gathering of supporters when referring to the Tea Party movement "This is the effort that we're seeing of Jim Crow", Carson said. "Some of these folks in Congress right now would love to see us as second-class citizens. Some of them in Congress right now of this Tea Party movement would love to see you and me... hanging on a tree."[23] Carson declined calls to resign, reaffirming, "I stand on the truth of what I spoke", and clarified that his comments were directed at certain tea party leaders and not the tea party as a whole.[24]
Remarks on education
Carson made a speech to an Islamic group that resulted in criticism from right-wing groups when he stated that American public schools should be modelled on Islamic madrassas. He granted an interview to reporter Mary Beth Schneider of The Indianapolis Star in which he maintained his speech remarks had been taken out of context.[25] On the same date, he issued a press release clarifying his position that no "particular faith should be the foundation of our public schools."[26]
Political campaigns
2008
- Special election
In 2008, André Carson won the nominating caucus of the Marion County Democratic Party, giving him the Democratic nomination for the special election to succeed his late grandmother, Congresswoman Julia Carson. During this election, he was endorsed by U.S. Senator Evan Bayh,[27] then-Senator Barack Obama, former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, Marion County Sheriff Frank J. Anderson, then-Representative from Indiana's 8th district Brad Ellsworth,[28] and retired U.S. Congressman Andy Jacobs, Jr. U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) contributed $4,000 each from their own campaign funds and $10,000 each from their political action committees to the Carson campaign.[29]
Carson defeated Republican State Representative Jon Elrod and Libertarian Sean Shepard in the special election on March 11, 2008, securing 53% of the vote.[30]
- General election
Carson was re-elected in November 2008 to his first full term in Congress with 65% of the vote. Since that time, Carson's hometown newspaper, The Indianapolis Star, has praised him for "going strong" in his first year in office, writing that Carson has "[proven] himself to be relentlessly positive and seriously hardworking."[31]
2010
In 2010, Carson again faced perennial Republican candidate Marvin Scott, who took issue with Carson's Muslim faith during the general election.[32] However, Carson handily defeated Scott to retain his seat.[33]
2008
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | André Carson | 45,668 | 54.04 | |
Republican | Jonathan Elrod | 36,415 | 43.09 | |
Libertarian | Sean Sheppard | 2,430 | 2.88 | |
Total votes | 84,513 | 100.00 | ||
Voter turnout | % | |||
Democratic hold | ||||
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | André Carson* | 172,650 | 65.08 | |
Republican | Gabrielle Campo | 92,645 | 34.92 | |
Total votes | 265,295 | 100.00 | ||
Voter turnout | % | |||
Democratic hold | ||||
2010
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | André Carson* | 86,011 | 58.90 | |
Republican | Marvin B. Scott | 55,213 | 37.81 | |
Libertarian | Dav Wilson | 4,815 | 3.30 | |
Total votes | 146,039 | 100.00 | ||
Voter turnout | % | |||
Democratic hold | ||||
2012
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | André Carson* | 162,122 | 62.85 | |
Republican | Carlos May | 95,828 | 37.15 | |
Total votes | 257,950 | 100.00 | ||
Voter turnout | % | |||
Democratic hold | ||||
2014
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Andre Carson (Incumbent) | 61,443 | 54.73 | |
Republican | Catherine Ping | 46,887 | 41.77 | |
Libertarian | Chris Mayo | 3,931 | 3.50 | |
Total votes | 112,261 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Personal life
Carson is a practicing Muslim. He is married to Mariama Shaheed who is an educator. They and their daughter, Salimah, live in Center Township in Indianapolis.[35]
References
- ↑ "Members of Congress: Religious Affiliations". Pew Research Center. January 5, 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- ↑ "Carson sworn in as congressman for 7th District". Indystar.com. Associated Press. March 13, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representative: 13 March 2008 Official lists were updated to reflect the addition of Rep. Carson, IN-07, to the rolls". Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- 1 2 3 "About Congressman Andre Carson". Carson.house.gov. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Caucus, Coalition and Taskforce Memberships". Carson.house.gov. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ Wishtv.com: Carson endorses Obama
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "U.S. House of Representatives Roll Call Votes 111th Congress, 1st Session (2009)". Clerk.house.gov. September 30, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ Recovery.gov: Where is the Money Going? Archived November 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Education". Carson.house.gov. August 10, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Energy". Carson.house.gov. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Online Health Care Forum". Carson.house.gov. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Iraq and Afghanistan". Carson.house.gov. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Housing". Carson.house.gov. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "U.S. House of Representatives Roll Call Votes 110th Congress, 2nd Session (2008)". Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Carson Votes to Establish Consumer Financial Protection Agency". Carson.house.gov. October 22, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Foreign Affairs". Carson.house.gov. June 26, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Keeping Communities Safe Means Stopping the Revolving Door of Prison". Carson.house.gov. June 12, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Indy Secures COPS Grant Worth $11 Million". Carson.house.gov. July 29, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Congressman André Carson: Nation Benefits From a Stronger GM, But Consumers Must be Protected in Process". Carson.house.gov. July 6, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ Pickett, Kerry (April 6, 2010). "AUDIO: Origin of Rep. Carson's racism accusation toward health care protesters". The Washington Times. Washingtontimes.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Racism claims reward offered". Biggovernment.com. April 26, 2010. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ Pickett, Kerry (March 20, 2010). "Video appears to dispute lawmaker's claim of protesters' racial slurs". The Washington Times. Washingtontimes.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ Bendery, Jennifer (August 30, 2011). "Democratic Rep: Tea Party Would Love To See Black People 'Hanging On A Tree' (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ Wilson, Stan (August 31, 2011). "Rep. Carson defends controversial tea party slam". Cable News Network. CNN.com. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ↑ Schneider, Mary Beth (July 6, 2012). "Carson says speech remarks taken out of context". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
- ↑ Hibbard, Laura (July 6, 2012). "André Carson, Indiana Congressman, Says U.S. Public Schools Should Be Modeled After Islamic Schools, (VIDEO) (UPDATE)". The Huffington Post. Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
- ↑ Sen. Bayh lends support to Andre Carson Archived February 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ WTHR, Dateline:Indianapolis (March 3, 2008). "Carson gets two endorsements". WTHR-TV Indianapolis, Indiana. WTHR.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ Carson Leading Elrod in Cash
- ↑ Scheider, Mary Beth (March 12, 2008). "Carson wins seat in 7th District race". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008.
- ↑ Tully, Matthew (March 8, 2009). "A Year Into Office Congressman Carson is Going Strong". The Indianapolis Star. Indy.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ↑ Tully, Matthew (September 15, 2010). "Marvin Scott's tactics are ugly, shameless, par for the course". The Indianapolis Star. Indy.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
- ↑ King, Mason (December 22, 2010). "Leading Questions: Carson talks Congress, whips, soft rock". Indianapolis Business Journal. Ibj.com. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
- ↑ "Secretary of State : Election Division: Election Results". Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ↑ "Arena Profile:Rep. Andre Carson". Politico. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
External links
- Congressman André Carson official U.S. House site
- André Carson for Congress
- André Carson at DMOZ
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Project Vote Smart
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress
United States House of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Julia Carson |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 7th congressional district March 11, 2008 – present |
Incumbent |
United States order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
Preceded by Rob Wittman |
United States Representatives by seniority 185th |
Succeeded by Jackie Speier |