The filing deadline has come and gone and there are 9 Democrats running in the special election for the 7th District, including Andre Carson, David Orentlicher and Carolene Mays, but there are notable ommissions from the list.

Former Health Commissioner Woody Myers sent a letter explaining that he will wait for the May primary before he runs, but what about State Representative Greg Porter? He attended a forum Monday but didn’t file.

And how about former state chairman Robin Winston? There’s no filing from him, though he’s been laying the groundwork for a campaign.

Republicans won’t complete filing till tomorrow but they have four candidates so far. Former Steve Goldsmith aide Tom Rose, State Representate John Elrod, Greg Stroude, and Gabrielle Campo. State Chairman Murray Clark originally said he expected about a half dozen filings.

Will Carl Brizzi get in?

Andre Carson left state Democratic Headquarters with a handful of papers this morning, preparing to file as a candidate for Congress in the 7th Congressional district.

Carson confirmed his intention to run but declined an interview on the subject until he can send a letter to the precinct committeemen who will choose a replacement for his grandmother, the late Julia Carson.

As for the committeemen, Democratic chairman Dan Parker points out that 560 of them will take part in a caucus to choose the nominee (Andre’s the favorite, all of a sudden) on January 12.  On February 16th there will be slating for the May primary election and only 425 will take part.  Its the result of redistricting that was ordered after Parker scheduled his caucus.

Marion County Chairman Mike O’Connor determines which committeemen get cut out for slating.

With the news that Congresswoman Julia Carson has terminal lung cancer it seems appropriate to look back over her colorful career.

I’ll remember two incidents most. The first one is also the first time I set eyes on her. Then-state Sen. Carson had a member of the Indiana House up against the wall outside the House chamber, poking him in the chest with a finger. She requested that he listen to her using terms I can’t repeat here. He listened.

The second came when she was Center Township Trustee and invited us along as she paid home visits on people who received assistance through her office. On several stops she determined that the money had been misspent.

When that happened, she would write out an impromptu contract detailing how the recipient could pay back the money and demand a signature. In one case a forlorn woman looked up from the contract to say, “I voted for you Miss Carson.”

Said Julia, “This is what you voted for.”