WASHINGTON - Rep. Keith Ellison forever will be the first Muslim elected to Congress, but he is already no longer the only one.

Andre Carson, a Democrat from Indianapolis, won a special election Tuesday. Carson, 33, is the grandson of the late Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN), who passed away in December.

During a victory speech, Carson told his supporters that one of his top priorities would be ending the war in Iraq.

He said that he doesn't believe his Muslim faith, which drew little attention during the campaign, has hurt him politically.

"I'm a proud Hoosier," Carson said after his victory speech Tuesday night. "I'm an Indy 500 Hoosier, I'm a Covered Bridge Festival Hoosier, I'm a Black Expo Hoosier, I'm a state fair Hoosier. I just happen to be a Hoosier of the Muslim faith."

Like Ellison, who represents most of Minneapolis in Congress, Carson also will represent a Midwestern city.

Carson was a member of the Indianapolis City Council since August.

Ellison knows Carson and has helped him with fundraising.

"I'm pleased and honored to have Andre Carson join me as a member of Congress," Ellison said in a statement. "Once again, the American public have shown the pundits and Congress, itself, that they are much more interested in the content of your character than the color of your skin -- or the faith you
practice."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Conrad Wilson• 202-408-2723