Rep. Victoria Spartz fends off GOP primary challenger in Indiana

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) has won the Republican nomination for another term in the House, fending off a challenge from the right, according to Decision Desk HQ. 

Spartz, who has represented Indiana’s 5th Congressional District since 2021, initially announced in 2023 that she would not run for reelection but later changed her mind and officially decided to seek another term in February. 

The first Ukrainian-born member of Congress, Spartz faced opposition from several challengers, most notably state Rep. Chuck Goodrich (R), who attacked her over her support for Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion of the country. 

Goodrich accused Spartz of putting “Ukraine first” ahead of priorities for the United States, such as addressing the situation at the southern border. Spartz has rejected that, noting that she has opposed giving Ukraine a “blank check” and supported reviews of the aid being given to Ukraine. 

After having previously supported aid to Ukraine throughout the war, Spartz voted against the aid package that passed Congress in a bipartisan vote last month, in part citing a lack of funding for the border. 

Spartz also was at a disadvantage in fundraising after entering the race so late, but she overcame that to hang on to her seat in the solidly red district.