Rep. Victoria Spartz (R‑IN), the first Ukrainian-born member of Congress, held on to her seat in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District just months after she decided to run for reelection in a primary fight against eight GOP rivals on Tuesday.
She won her GOP primary with 39.1% of the vote after the Associated Press called the race at 8:29 p.m. with 77% of the vote counted. The Indiana congresswoman narrowly defeated well-funded state Rep. Chuck Goodrich, who received 33% of the vote, and seven other challengers.
Spartz’s initial decision to retire set off a crowded primary and one of the most expensive campaigns this cycle. Initially, Spartz announced more than a year ago that she would not run for reelection, saying she wanted to spend more time with family. She ultimately reversed that decision days before the filing deadline in February.
The sudden change in heart wasn’t necessarily a shock coming from the Indiana Republican. Spartz is known for her unpredictability, often telling reporters she’ll vote one way before changing her support in the middle of a vote …