U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz has changed her mind about stepping away from Congress.
The Noblesville Republican announced Feb. 5 that she will seek reelection in Indiana’s 5th District. Almost exactly one year earlier, she said she would not run again, citing a desire to spend more time with her daughters.
“Deciding where your duty lies – family, work or country, is never an easy task. Earlier last year, I decided to take some time off from running for public office to recharge and spend more time in Indiana with my family. However, looking where we are today, and urged by many of my constituents, I do not believe I would be able to deliver this Congress, with the current failed leadership in Washington, D.C., on the important issues for our nation that I have worked very hard on,” Spartz stated. “As someone who grew up under tyranny, I understand the significance of these challenging times for our Republic, and if my fellow Hoosiers and God decide, I will be honored to continue fighting for them. We must carry on the sacrifice of countless Americans for our liberties and keep the American dream alive for our children.”
Spartz, who grew up in Ukraine, has represented the 5th District since 2021. She joins a crowded Republican primary. Other candidates who have filed as of Feb. 6 are Jonathan D. Brown, Raju Chinthala, Max Engling, Chuck Goodrich, Mark Hurt, Scott A. King, Patrick Malayter, Matthew Pfeiffer, LD Powell and Larry L. Savage Jr.
Candidates react
Several candidates who filed to run for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District before incumbent Victoria Spartz announced her plans to seek reelection shared their thoughts on her decision.
“It’s just kind of a slap in the face to everybody, because some of us already have spent a lot of money on our campaigns, and she’s getting in there and going to dilute the vote,” Savage said. “She just made it a lot harder on everybody. A lot of voters that I talked to yesterday, (when) I was out and about, they’re not going to vote for her. We think it’s a ploy from the Republican Party to put her in, and then when she steps down, they’re going to try and replace her with a handpicked candidate.” – Larry L. Savage Jr., an Anderson resident who filed to run Jan. 31
“I’m 100 percent committed to running for 5th District Congress. I’m not wavering on my commitment to doing something to stop the flow of poison into our country that is killing over 100,000 Americans a year! In fact, I’m so committed to the race that I resigned my lucrative job with Verizon to run full time. Closing our borders and protecting our citizens is a life and death issue and not something that I’m going to waffle on.” – LD Powell, a Carmel resident who filed to run Jan. 16
“The 5th District can’t afford another two years of Victoria Spartz’s flip-flopping and putting America last,” he stated. “With woke insanity, a broken border, and out-of-control spending driving inflation, I will always put the people of this district first and never waiver on my conservative principles.” – Chuck Goodrich, a Noblesville resident who filed to run Jan. 10
“I welcome Congresswoman Victoria Spartz to the race and look forward to a spirited, public discussion on how we can unlock the gridlocked Congress. More competition means a better choice for Hoosiers in the 5th District. Together, let’s take action and make a real difference in the lives of Hoosier families.” – Raju Chinthala, a Carmel resident who filed to run Jan. 22
“Congresswoman Spartz’s well-documented history of waffling on the issues and reelection campaign leaves Indiana families without a principled voice in Congress. Decisive conservative leadership means standing your ground when it comes to reducing the debt, fighting for Indiana families, and getting America back on track. I’m in this race to win, and the Congresswoman’s latest announcement makes me more committed than ever to stay in this race, trust the Lord, and fight for family-first policies.” – Max Engling, a Fishers resident who filed to run Jan. 10
“It is a surprise that Congresswoman Spartz is reentering the race considering that Congresswoman Spartz has been saying for a year that she is not running. Although it certainly alters the landscape, whether it hurts or helps remains to be seen. I am certainly in it to win it. My 25 years of running a small business in central Indiana, 25 years of serving as one small brick in the wall of justice as a deputy prosecuting attorney, my training and education in foreign policy, and my legislative experience at both the Federal and state levels of government make me uniquely qualified to represent the people in Indiana’s 5th District – the area where I was born and raised.” – Mark Hurt, a Kokomo resident who filed to run Jan. 31
