In reversal, US Rep. Victoria Spartz to seek reelection for Indiana seat

Republican U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz announced Monday that she plans to seek re-election to Indiana’s 5th Congressional District, reversing an announcement a year ago that she would forgo another election.

Last February, Spartz said she wanted to spend more time with her family and would not run for office in 2024. But the two-term congresswoman now says she doesn’t want her work at the Capitol to end in January.

“Looking at where we are today, and urged on by many of my constituents, I do not believe I would be able to hold this Congress, with the current failed leadership in Washington, DC, on the important issues facing our nation that I deeply care about. have worked on. hard,” Spartaz said in a statement on Monday.

Ukrainian-born Spartz faced a tight and expensive race when she first won in 2020, but secured the suburban seat in 2022 with 61% of the vote after a Republican redistricting plan.

“As someone who grew up under tyranny, I understand the significance of these challenging times for our Republic, and as my fellow Hoosiers and God decide, I will be honored to continue fighting for them,” Spartz said in her statement.

The move shakes up the battle for Congress, in which at least nine Republicans have already filed with the secretary of state to run for Sparta’s seat. As of Monday, no Democrats have filed, according to public reports from the Secretary of State’s office.

Indiana’s congressional delegation will have at least three new members after the fall elections.

In January, Republican U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon of Indiana and U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, brother of former Vice President Mike Pence, both announced their decision to forgo re-election in 2024.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks is running for the Indiana U.S. Senate seat vacated by Republican Sen. Mike Braun, who is running for governor of Indiana.

The deadline for candidates to file in Indiana to appear on the primary ballot is noon Friday.