(BrightPress.org) – Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) announced a reversal of previous plans she’d made to retire, saying instead that she will run for reelection this November.
Spartz had previously declared in February 2023 that she would retire after her second term in Congress expired at the close of this year. At the time, she said she wanted to spend more time at home with her loved ones.
Spartz explained herself in a statement published Monday, February 5th saying that she was “urged by many” supporters to seek another term. She added that she believed failed D.C. leadership prevented her from fully delivering pertinent input on important issues. She said that growing up under tyranny informed her sense of the significance of the current moment. Spartz added that she’d be “honored” if her constituents and God decided to allow her to continue to work for the people of Indiana.
The switch of plans put the kibosh on campaigns where nine Republicans had already begun to compete for her seat. Spartz is cutting it extremely close, legally, as the deadline for filing is Friday, February 9th. The seat is in a deep red district, and as such there are no Democrat challengers.
Additionally, Indiana Reps. Greg Pence and Larry Bucshon are both retiring from government, opening their seats for newcomers. Rep. Jim Banks will also run for the Senate to replace retiring Sen. Mike Braun, leaving his seat in the House open.
The Casualty List maintains a collection of individuals who are retiring or seeking another office. Currently, 23 Democrats and 17 Republicans are exiting their current roles at the end of this session. It also shows those who resigned or died during their terms.
The Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the House after the expulsion of Rep. George Santos over an indictment that alleged criminal wrongdoing in how he raised and spent campaign funds. The Democrats are also 50-50 in the Senate with the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris included in the count.
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