By Olivia O’Neal
TheStatehouseFile.com
May 6, 2026
Incumbent Andre Carson secured roughly 60% of the votes for the District 7 congressional seat in Indiana’s Democratic primary on Tuesday, claiming victory with just under 45,000 votes.
Despite his decisive win, this race could have been one of Carson’s most competitive in years, one of his challengers, George Hornedo, said. In his nearly two decades representing the district, Carson often superseded 60% of votes.
His two most significant challengers took roughly a third of the votes combined. Destiny Wells came in second with just under 17,000—or 23%. George Hornedo was third, securing roughly 10%, or 8,000 votes.
This primary saw a higher voter turnout than the 2022 Democratic primary even long before the polls shut down, Hornedo said. Despite their losses, both challengers celebrated the turnout.
“Contested races hold incumbents accountable,” Wells said in a text to TheStatehouseFile.com. “This is how democracy should work.”
Hornedo, who prided himself on a campaign backed by individual donors and his Democratic field operation rather than corporate PAC money, said in a press release that Carson’s competition signifies a change for District 7.
“The math of this district looks fundamentally different. Indianapolis is ready for more,” he said. “That energy didn’t disappear tonight. It’s looking for a home.”
The polling numbers may be a part of something bigger.
“Little sparks can cause huge fires,” Wells said. “I’m excited for Indy’s future and the momentum built from those who engaged this political season.”
In the race for the District 7 Republican congressional seat, Patrick McAuley won a landslide victory against challenger Felipe Rios, with 80% of the votes compared to Rios’ 15%.
District 8
Mary Allen took almost 70% of the vote in the congressional House District 8 Democratic primary. That was more than the combined votes of all three challengers—Tabitha Zeigler, Christopher Rector and Mario Foradori.
Allen will face incumbent Rep. Mark Messmer for the District 8 seat. He ran for the Republican primary seat unopposed.
District 5
Past state Sen. J.D. Ford was successful in his campaign for the District 5 congressional Democratic primary race with upwards of 17,000 votes. His most formidable competition, Jackson Franklin, came in second but with fewer than 7,000 votes. Ford will run against incumbent Rep. Victoria Spartz, who ran a close race for the Republican primary but won with 50% of the vote. Challenger Scott King was close behind with 40%.
Olivia O’Neal is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.
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