GOP Representative Spartz Defeats Competitors to Secure Indiana Primary Victory

Rep. Victoria Spartz, a two-term incumbent, successfully secured her place on the ballot in a tough Republican primary as she seeks reelection. The campaign drew attention to her stance against providing aid to Ukraine, her home country.

Despite facing stiff competition from eight other Republicans, Spartz emerged as the winner in a solidly Republican district.

As the first and only Ukrainian-born House member, Spartz had previously supported aid for Ukraine. However, she reversed her position before the primary and voted against sending $61 billion in aid to the country. She justified her decision by emphasizing her loyalty to America first and advocating for U.S.-Mexico border policy to be included in the aid package, a viewpoint shared by her Republican opponents.

The primary in the Indianapolis suburbs was a test of whether Spartz’s strategy would pay off. Her position resonated with many of her rivals, including state Rep. Chuck Goodrich, who loaned $4.6 million to his campaign. Goodrich criticized Spartz for her previous support of Ukraine, accusing her of prioritizing Ukraine over America. Spartz trailed Goodrich in fundraising and spending by a significant margin.

Following her victory, Spartz stated, “My win in this election shows that money and falsehoods cannot sway elections. I am proud to represent Indiana and eager to work towards getting our nation back on track.”

This primary marked another chapter in Spartz’s political journey. After a tight primary win in 2020 and an uncontested GOP nomination in 2022, she initially planned to leave Congress. However, she later decided to seek reelection, creating room for Goodrich to gain substantial support and raising the possibility of Spartz being the first House Republican to lose a primary this year without redistricting.

On a broader scale, both Donald Trump and President Joe Biden accrued more delegates in Indiana, setting the stage for their respective party conventions. Trump’s popularity in Indiana, where he won by 16 points in 2020, suggests he is favored over Biden this year. However, Nikki Haley’s continued support underscores some unease within the GOP regarding their standard-bearer.

Notably, Indiana voters do not have the option to vote “uncommitted,” reflecting possible discontent with Biden’s handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. This unrest could impact Democrat support in the upcoming elections.

The most closely watched and expensive race within the state was the six-way GOP contest to succeed term-limited Gov. Eric Holcomb, where Braun emerged as the winner.

Braun’s victory was bolstered by his name recognition, financial resources, and Trump’s endorsement. He invested heavily in his campaign, spending over $6 million in the first quarter of 2024.

During his acceptance speech, Braun reflected on his journey to the U.S. Senate and described this year’s primary as the most competitive in Indiana’s history.

Presenting himself as a political outsider and social conservative, Braun gears up to face Democrat nominee Jennifer McCormick, former state schools superintendent, and Libertarian nominee Donald Rainwater in the upcoming November elections.