Andrews was one of four Democratic candidates vying to represent the 11th Congressional district of
New York State in a hotly contested, volatile race. Even though he was endorsed by influential New York politicians, including Attorney General
Eliot Spitzer, State Senator
Carl Kruger, New York City Comptroller
Bill Thompson, he was also subjected to criticism for his decision to remain in this race-thus potentially splintering the African-American vote in a divided primary-especially after another African-American candidate, Assemblyman Nick Perry, withdrew from the race in May. Carl Andrews was also the subject of criticism from some quarters for his close association with former chairman of the
Kings County Democratic Party, and Assemblyman, Clarence Norman, who was forced to resign from his official positions as a result of his indictment and conviction on multiple felony counts of violating election law in late 2005. On August 14, 2006, Andrews received the endorsement of the New York State
AFL-CIO. In order to receive the endorsement Andrews need the support of over two-thirds of the union membership, which union president Dennis Hughes stated Andrews had achieved. On September 12, 2006, Andrews was defeated in a four-way Democratic primary, garnering nearly 23% of the vote, and coming in third. ==Candidate debate==