By CAROLINE BECK, WFYI
Marion County voters in the state’s 7th Congressional District will choose between three candidates this November to represent them nationally.
Democratic incumbent André Carson seeks a 10th term. He is challenged by Republican Patrick McAuley and vice-chair of Indiana’s Libertarian Party James Sceniak.
The district is in the heart of the state and includes the majority of Indianapolis and Marion County. Its population is over 757,000.
U.S. House members serve two-year terms, write and vote on federal legislation, sit on committees and direct federal resources to their districts.
WFYI opened an ongoing voter survey in May, and the most common issues voters raised in this district are affordability, data center development and ensuring voters are heard by their elected officials.
Indiana’s 7th District leans solidly Democrat. The Cook Political Report most recently rated it D+21. Carson has represented the district since 2008. Both McAuley and Sceniak will face an uphill battle trying to defeat Carson, who won the seat in 2024 with 68% of the vote.
Candidates say, if elected, they will address affordability concerns like housing, economic development and reducing taxes.
Last year, as legislators debated redistricting, some Republicans aimed to redraw maps to turn the 7th District more Republican. State lawmakers voted that redistricting effort down.
Carson opposed mid-cycle redistricting.
The regular 10-year Indiana redistricting cycle follows the census and is scheduled for 2031.
WFYI contacted each campaign to conduct candidate interviews. We used voter feedback to guide our questions. For candidates who did not respond, information was gathered from websites and social media for a “Top priorities” note. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
André Carson
Incumbent
Party: Democrat
Website: andrecarson.com
Age: 51
Occupation: U.S. Representative, District 7
Residence: Indianapolis
Notable donors: Carson’s committee, André Carson for Congress, raised $1,006,176 as of June 30, 2026, according to Federal Election Commission data. OpenSecrets’ data shows the campaign raised $485,550 from PACs. The two largest special interest donors are the law firm Vinson & Elkins and Karysh.
Patrick McAuley
Personal information provided by candidate.
Party: Republican
Website: mcauleyforthe7th.com
Age: 29
Occupation: Associate, Broad Ripple Capital, Inc.
Residence: Indianapolis
Notable donors: There is no campaign committee for McAuley in a search of the Federal Election Commission website. A filing is not required if the candidate raises or spends less than $5,000 in contributions or expenditures. There is also no donor information for McAuley in a search on OpenSecrets.
James Sceniak
Party: Libertarian
Website: facebook.com/SceniakForSenate
Occupation: Lead registered behavior therapist, Centria Health Care
Residence: Indianapolis
Notable donors: There is no campaign committee for Sceniak in a search of the Federal Election Commission website. A filing is not required if the candidate raises or spends less than $5,000 in contributions or expenditures. There is also no donor information for Sceniak in a search on OpenSecrets.
To listen to the full interviews or read the transcripts, visit: https://www.wfyi.org/statewide/2026-09-23/2026-voter-guide-indianas-7th-congressional-district
