INDIANAPOLIS — Democratic incumbent Congressman André Carson easily won the Democratic nomination for Indiana's 7th Congressional District, with 91% of the vote Tuesday night.
The Republican candidate, Jennifer Pace, who voters chose to run against Carson in November, received 31%.
There's only one problem, though — Pace is deceased.
The Marion County Voter Registration Office says they got word in late April that they needed to take Pace off the voter registration rolls because she had passed away.
That's the same Jennifer Pace who was also on the primary ballot Tuesday, along with three other candidates vying to win the Republican nomination this November to run for the 7th District Congressional seat.
Carson has served nine terms in the office.
"It's incredibly unusual. It's unfortunate. I feel like it's uncomfortable, quite frankly," UIndy political science professor Dr. Laura Wilson said.
Tuesday was the first time Wilson said she heard about Pace's passing.
"I heard it from several people that were watching elections, and some of the political analysts say, 'Hey, can you believe this woman's winning right now?' and it was pretty incredible in terms of circumstances," Wilson said, explaining it became even more incredible when the Associated Press declared Wednesday that Pace had won the Republican nomination. "There are times candidates pass away and they don't win. It's inconsequential. That's what makes this different. She's now selected as the winner, despite no longer being alive, and that complicates things quite a bit."
13News searched online for an obituary for Pace but didn't find one.
The Indiana Republican Party did not indicate when they found out about Pace's passing.
A spokesperson with the Marion County Election Board says they never received any notice to take Pace off the ballot from the Indiana Secretary of State's Election Division. A spokesperson with the Indiana Secretary of State's Office says there's no state law requiring anyone to notify their office when events like this happen in a primary election.
So what happens now?
In a statement to 13News, the Indiana Republican Party says once the Indiana Election Division notifies them of a ballot vacancy, a group of precinct committeemen in the 7th District will have 30 days to choose a replacement.
Wilson said whoever they choose to replace Pace on the ballot will have a challenge ahead, trying to unseat Carson in heavily Democratic district.
"But politics can be crazy, so I wouldn't say anything is impossible. Highly unlikely and difficult," Wilson said.
Carson didn't comment on Pace winning the Republican nomination. He released a statement thanking his supporters, calling their support "an honor and responsibility" he never takes for granted.