MPAC Congratulates 2nd Muslim Elected to Congress

March 12, 2008


The Muslim Public Affairs Council today offered congratulations to Congressman-elect Andre Carson, who won a special election yesterday in Indiana. Carson will fill the seat left by his grandmother Rep. Julia Carson, who died last December after serving 11 years in the heavily Democratic district of Indiana.

SEE: "Candidate Wins Late Grandmother's Seat" (Associated Press)

"This isn't about me. It's about you. I'm not going to Congress. We're going to Congress," said Carson.

The election of the Indiana Democrat as the nation's second Muslim member of Congress is a milestone for American pluralism. A 33-year-old who won his first election last year to the City-County Council, Carson called this win an "extremely humbling experience." Carson said his campaign had benefited from volunteers who crossed all age, racial, religious and social backgrounds.

"At a time when anti-Muslim rhetoric is rising to disturbing levels, the election of Carson is proof of our nation's commitment to diversity and justice for all," said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. "The increasing interaction of Muslim communities with elected officials and candidates is a positive step in solving public policy issues."

Carson will finish the 10 months remaining in his grandmother's term, while also running against Democratic contenders in a May primary to determine who runs in November for the next full two-year term.

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