Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Monday set March 11 as the special election date to replace Democratic Congresswoman Julia Carson in the the state's 7th District. Carson died of lung cancer in December.

The Indianapolis Star reports that eight potential Democratic candidates for the seat gathered at a forum last night, likely the only time the candidates will meet before the some 600 Democratic precinct committeemen caucus on Saturday to nominate a candidate.

Republicans will hold a nominating caucus for the special election on Sunday, and will also endorse a candidate for the seat in the May primary.

Andre Carson, grandson of the late congresswoman, announced January 3 that he had filed for the Democratic nomination for the seat, one day after being sworn in as an Indianapolis city-county councilor. Carson had been seen as an eventual successor to his grandmother even before her death, but he declined to announce his intentions to run now until last week.

Other Democratic candidates include Marion County Treasurer Michael Rodman, attorney Randle Pollard, and state representatives Carolene Mays, David Orentlicher and Gregory Porter. State Rep. Jon Elrod has been mentioned as a candidate for the Republican nomination.

This competitive district includes all of Indianapolis and most of Marion County, which has trended Democratic despite the seven surrounding counties continuing to be strongly Republican. Indianapolis had elected a Republican mayor for some 30 straight years until 1999, and in November voted out Democratic Mayor Bart Peterson in favor of Republican Greg Ballard. Still, the district leans Democratic, as John Kerry won here with 58% in 2004 and Gore won 55% in 2000. If Andre Carson wins the nomination on Saturday, his name-identification advantage and the Democratic tilt of the district give him the best shot of holding the seat for Democrats.

-- Kyle Trygstad