The Associated Press

Fri, May 2, 2008 (12:37 a.m.)

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.

"I wouldn't bet on that one just yet," said Brian Vargus, a political science professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

All nine of Indiana's House members are up for re-election, but only five face primary challenges. The toughest races are Carson's 7th District and the 5th District, where the state's longest-serving congressman faces the first serious primary challenge of his 25-year career.

The 7th District, which covers most of Indianapolis, has long been a bit of blue in an otherwise red state. No Democratic presidential nominee has won Indiana since Lyndon Johnson in 1964, yet Democrat Julia Carson represented the district in Congress for 11 years before her death in December.

Her 33-year-old grandson defeated Republican state Rep. Jon Elrod in the March 11 special election with 54 percent of the vote.

Carson joined Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., as the only Muslims in Congress. His religious identity drew little attention during the campaign, and Carson says he doesn't believe it hurts him politically.

"I think it's more of an advantage," he said. "It's a platform to address ignorance."

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."

Longtime GOP Rep. Dan Burton is also spending a lot of money to keep his 5th District seat. The sprawling, traditionally Republican district includes parts of 11 counties and some Indianapolis suburbs.

First elected to Congress in 1982, Burton has won his last three primaries with more than 80 percent of the vote. The latest campaign finance reports show him with nearly 10 times more money on hand than his closest challenger John McGoff, an emergency room physician. Clayton Alfred is also seeking the Republican nomination.

The winner will face one of three Democrats _ Chester Kelsey, Mary Etta Ruley or Kenny Stall _ in November.

Burton came under fire last year amid reports that he missed 19 House votes during a trip to California for a charity golf tournament. Calls for his ouster have since grown louder.

"People are really ready for a change here," McGoff said. "People are paying attention."

His campaign is playing up Burton's travels with a Web site _ wheresdanburton.com _ that features photos of Burton's head on cartoon drawings. One image shows the congressman wearing a golf outfit, while a section about a trip to Paris depicts him with a beret and thin mustache, swirling a glass of wine.

Burton has said the golf trip was a mistake and that House votes had typically not been held during that week in recent years. He said he has a 98 percent voting record.

His campaign is running sentimental TV commercials saying Burton, who had an abusive father and lived in poverty as a boy, "triumphed over tragedy and devotes his life to serving our families."

Burton has spent $1.2 million on the primary _ an indication, Vargus said, that this race could be different.

"Burton's really never faced a primary challenge of this magnitude before," he said.

Getting out the vote is key for McGoff. A low Republican turnout, which is possible because Sen. John McCain has already locked up the party's presidential nomination, likely would favor Burton.

"You would think the party loyalists would go with the more tried-and-true candidate," said James McCann, a political science professor at Purdue University.

Three other incumbents _ Reps. Mark Souder, Steve Buyer and Baron Hill _ also face primary challenges but are expected to breeze through the election. That would set up a familiar race in November in southern Indiana's 9th District, where Hill, a Democrat, is expected to face former Republican Rep. Mike Sodrel for a fourth consecutive time.