Ind. 10: African-American Woman Wins For First Time

(AllPolitics, Nov. 5) -- Democrat Julia Carson retained Indiana's 10th District seat for her party by rallying to defeat Republican Virginia Blankenbaker.

The candidates shared liberal views on social issues such as abortion, gun control and the death penalty.

Carson, a former state legislator who administers relief programs in her current job, backed education spending. Blankenbaker, a former state senator, distingished herself by going tough on crime.

Carson becomes the first African-American elected to Congress by the district, which is 30 percent black and includes Indianapolis.

The seat was open after the retirement of Democratic Rep. Andrew Jacobs Jr., who won 15 terms.

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