U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz Wins Controversial Indiana Republican Primary

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Two terms US Representative Victoria Spartaz He won a contentious Republican primary to defend his seat just months after he decided to run for re-election in a campaign that focused attention on his opposition to sending aid to his native Ukraine.

He defeated eight rival Republicans to secure a spot on the ballot this fall in a solidly Republican district.

Spartz, the first and only Ukrainian-born House member, previously endorsed support for the country. But before his primary election, he changed his position and voted against sending $61 billion in aid to Ukraine. He defended the change, arguing that his loyalty is to America first and saying he wanted policy on the U.S.-Mexico border to be included in the relief package, a position largely shared by Republican rivals. of the.

The election in Indianapolis’ northern suburbs was partly a test to see whether Spartz’s maneuvers would work. His position was widely shared among his competitors, including state Rep. Chuck Goodrich, who loaned $4.6 million to his campaign. Goodrich attacked Spartz for her previous support of Ukraine, saying she puts “Ukraine first.” Spartz trailed Goodrich in spending and fundraising by millions of dollars.

“My victory in this election is a testament to the American people and my fellow Hoosiers that money and lies do not buy elections,” Spartz said in a statement. “I am honored to represent Indiana and am ready to get back to work to get our great Republic back on track.”

The primaries marked the latest turn in Spartz’s political career. She won a close primary race in 2020 and was not challenged for the Republican nomination in 2022. She initially planned left Congress last yearopting not to be re-elected to her House seat and forgoing the opportunity to seek the Senate seat vacated by the Republican. Mike Braun.

He later changed course and decided to seek another term in the House. But his changing plans gave Goodrich the opportunity to raise a considerable sum of money and raised the possibility that Spartz would be the first House Republican to lose a primary this year in a race unaffected by reapportionment. of districts.

Throughout the state, donald trumpthe presumptive Republican presidential candidate, and president Joe Biden It racked up more delegates who will head to their respective party conventions later this summer.

Trump won Indiana by 16 points in 2020 and is a favorite there against Biden this year. But in a warning that some members of the Republican Party are not comfortable with their party’s standard-bearer, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley was still attracting support months later. abandon the race.

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

The most watched and expensive race within the state was the race between six GOP candidates to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb. Braun emerged victorious.

Braun quickly became the front-runner in the race, bolstered by several advantages: name recognition, money and Trump’s endorsement. He spent more than $6 million in the first three months of 2024 alone.

During his victory speech in central Indiana, Braun spoke about his rise to the U.S. Senate six years ago. He called this year’s race the “fightiest, most competitive primary” in state history.

Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch campaigned to cut the state income tax. Two former Commerce Secretaries, Brad Chambers – who had contributed 10 million dollars to his campaign – and Eric Doden He also ran, but didn’t break through to the conservative voters who decided the primaries.

Chambers and Doden in particular attacked Braun for his history with law enforcement during the course of the campaign. Braun proposed a bill in 2020 to reform qualified immunity, which protects police officers from most lawsuits arising from work performed in the line of duty. He later reversed the move after intense backlash from authorities.

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

Braun has presented himself as a political outsider and social conservative, just as he did in his 2018 Senate campaign. He will face unopposed Democratic candidate and former state schools superintendent Jennifer McCormick in November, and to Libertarian candidate Donald Rainwater.