Rep. Julia Carson, who rose from poverty and an early career as a secretary to become a state legislator and then a member of Congress in 1996, passed away yesterday at the age of 69. Carson announced she had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer earlier this year and said she would not run for re-election next year.

Carson entered politics at the urging of her then-boss, Rep. Andy Jacobs, in the 1970s. Twenty years later, Carson succeeded Jacobs in the House. She compiled a mostly liberal record and was known as a backer of organized labor.

A date for a special election has not been set, but because Carson announced she would retire, candidates have already started campaigning for the seat. Marion County Treasurer Michael Rodman is the only Democrat to have announced a bid, while State Rep. Jon Elrod is running on the GOP side. The Democratic nominee would be favored, as the district gave 58% to John Kerry and 55% to Al Gore.