Ukraine-born House member who opposed aiding her native country defends her seat in Indiana primary

INDIANAPOLIS — A Ukrainian-born congresswoman who recently opposed sending aid to her war-torn country will defend her seat Tuesday against a fellow Republican who has surpassed her in spending and fundraising.

U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz is the first and only Ukrainian-born member of the House of Representatives and previously supported aid to the country. But ahead of her primary, she reversed her position and voted against sending $61 billion in aid to Ukraine. She defended the move, arguing that her loyalty is first and foremost with America and that she wanted to see policies at the U.S.-Mexico border included in the aid package, a position largely shared by her Republican challengers.

Elections in Indianapolis’ northern suburbs will determine whether Spartaz’s maneuvers will pay off. More broadly, the race is a barometer of whether support for Ukraine is a powerful issue among Republican voters. The issue has become an increasingly divisive issue among Republicans in Washington, where many are pushing for a cut in aid.

If she is defeated, Spartaz would be the first Republican in the House of Representatives to lose a primary this year in a race unaffected by redistricting.

The primaries mark the latest turn in Spartaz’s political career. She won a narrow primary in 2020 and was not challenged for the GOP nomination in 2022. She initially planned to leave Congress last year, not wanting to seek re-election to her House seat and missing out on an opportunity left to seek the Senate seat vacated by Republican Mike. Braun.

She later changed course and decided to seek another term in the House. But her changing plans gave state Rep. Chuck Goodrich the opportunity to outspend Spartz by millions of dollars and become her main competitor in the primary.

Statewide, presumptive presidential candidates, former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, are trying to pile up more delegates heading to their respective party conventions later this summer. Trump won Indiana by 16 points in 2020. The only question on the Republican Party’s side is how many votes will go to former South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who is still on the primary ballot after had withdrawn from the race in March.

Voters in Indiana do not have the option to vote “unfettered.” The protest voting movement in some states against Biden’s handling of the war between Israel and Hamas has cast doubt on the president’s Democratic support in November.

The most watched and expensive contest in the state is the six-way race to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb. Braun is considered the frontrunner in the race, buoyed by several advantages: name recognition, money and Trump’s support. He spent more than $6 million in the first three months of 2024 alone.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch has campaigned to cut the state’s income tax. Two former trade secretaries are also running: Brad Chambers – who contributed $10 million to his campaign – and Eric Doden.

Once seen as a likely governor of the Hoosier state, former Attorney General Curtis Hill has struggled to compete. Political newcomer Jamie Reitenour is also on the ballot.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick is undisputed.