As the fifth special election of the 110th Congress approaches, neither Democrats nor Republicans have scored a pick-up that might be seen as indicative of a coming wave. Each time a special election approaches, both parties work hard, and spend a lot of money, trying to upset their opponent in hopes that, in a vacuum, the victory will garner game-altering media attention.

So far, each party has been disappointed. Democrats were excited by their prospects in an Ohio special election, to replace the late Rep. Paul Gillmor, though Republican Bob Latta ended up winning big. Republicans trumpet farmer Jim Ogonowski's narrow loss to Democrat Niki Tsongas in Massachusetts, though Tsongas actually won by about the same margin Governor Deval Patrick took in the district on the way to a landslide victory in 2006.

Now, with the passing of Indiana Democrat Julia Carson, Republicans are again targeting a seat that Democrats should hold. As with the Ohio special election, when the GOP spent heavily to keep the seat in their hands, Democrats are spending money in Indianapolis to try to protect their territory. The expenditures have caused some in Washington to take notice: Could Democrats be worried about a district that trends strongly their way?

Since February 12, when the DCCC made its first expenditure in the race, the committee has dumped almost $45,000 into aiding Indianapolis City Councilman Andre Carson, the late Congresswoman's grandson, through mail and television advertising. The committee has also spent thousands on what it refers to as "field organizing." "The fact that Democrats in Washington have to expend resources and dispatch staff into a deep blue district just goes to show how flawed a candidate Andre Carson really is," NRCC spokesman Ken Spain told Politics Nation.

In the March 11 special election, Carson faces State Rep. Jon Elrod, and the race could be tight. While Democratic candidates carried the Indianapolis-centric district by wide 16- and 12-point margins in 2004 and 2000, respectively, Julia Carson's final few re-election campaigns saw more voters splitting their tickets and choosing her opponents. She won just 54% of the vote in 2006 against a Republican who spent only $74,000, and the same percentage in 2004 when her unknown challenger spent just $25,000.

This year, Elrod is said to be raising impressive money, though Andre Carson is as well. Republicans have another reason to be optimistic: Last year, voters around the city delivered a stunning defeat to Democratic incumbent Mayor Bart Peterson and several Democrats at the city level, all in response to a property tax increase and a new crime wave. If Elrod can capitalize on that same anger, he might give Republicans a chance.

"Special elections can't be taken for granted and you have to be diligent," said DCCC spokesman Doug Thornell. "It is clear that the only candidate in this race capable of providing the change the people of the Seventh District are seeking on issues like job creation and education is Andre Carson and we are committed to helping him in his Special Election effort. The last thing the people of Indianapolis need is someone like Jon Elrod who supports George Bush's agenda to keep our troops in Iraq and privatize social security."

If Carson pulls off the win for Democrats, he will join Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison as the only two Muslims in Congress. In fact, the 110th Congress is unique for introducing new religions into the body: Hawaii Rep. Mazie Hirono and Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson, both elected in 2006, are the only two Buddhists to have served in Congress as well.