Victoria Spartz

Victoria Spartz (née Kulheyko (Ukrainian: Вікторія Кульгейко, romanized: Viktoriya Kul'heyko);[2] born October 6, 1978) is a Ukrainian American politician and businesswoman who is the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 5th congressional district, which stretches from northern Marion County up to the city of Marion and includes Hamilton County.[3] Spartz is the first Ukrainian-born member of the U.S. Congress and the first member born in a then-Soviet Republic.[4][5][6] Previously, she was a member of the Indiana Senate from the 20th District.[7]

Victoria Spartz
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 5th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded bySusan Brooks
Member of the Indiana Senate
from the 20th district
In office
October 1, 2017 – November 17, 2020
Preceded byLuke Kenley
Succeeded byScott Baldwin
Personal details
Born
Viktoriya Kulheyko

(1978-10-06) October 6, 1978
Nosivka, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine)[1]
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Jason Spartz
​
(m. 2000)​
Children2
EducationKyiv National Economic University (BS, MBA)
Indiana University, Indianapolis (MAcc)
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life and education

Victoria Kulheyko was born in Nosivka,[4] Chernihiv Oblast, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, today Ukraine.[6] Before moving to the United States, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kyiv National Economic University. She also earned a Master of Accountancy from the Kelley School of Business of Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.[8]

While Kulheyko was in college, she met her future husband, Jason Spartz, on a train in Europe and began dating him.[9] They married in 2000.[10] Victoria Spartz immigrated to the United States in 2000 at the age of 22 and became a U.S. citizen in 2006.[11][12][13]

Early career

Spartz founded the Hamilton County, Indiana, Tea Party.[14] Before her appointment to the Indiana Senate, she served as CFO in the office of Indiana Attorney General.[15] She was also an adjunct faculty member at the Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis,[16] and she has owned real estate and farming businesses.[17]

Spartz was appointed to the Indiana Senate from the 20th District in 2017 after Luke Kenley resigned.[18]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections
Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana § District 5

After incumbent Republican Susan Brooks announced in June 2019 that she would not seek reelection, Spartz announced her candidacy for Indiana's 5th congressional district. She won the Republican primary on June 2, 2020.[19]

In a May 2020 campaign advertisement, Spartz touted her opposition to the Affordable Care Act; after winning the Republican primary, she muted her opposition to it.[20] Spartz won the November general election, defeating former state representative Christina Hale, the Democratic nominee, by four percent.[21][22][23]

Indiana's 5th congressional district, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Victoria Spartz 208,212 50.0
Democratic Christina Hale 191,226 45.9
Libertarian Ken Tucker 16,788 4.0
Total votes 416,226 100.0
Republican hold

Tenure

In late 2020, Spartz was identified as a participant in the Freedom Force, a group of incoming Republican members of the House of Representatives who "say they’re fighting against socialism in America".[24][25][26][27]

Committee assignments

Personal life

Spartz married her husband, Jason Spartz, in 2000. The Spartzes have two daughters.[10] They live in Noblesville, Indiana.[8]

References
  1. "Американська сенаторка родом із Носівки". golos.com.ua. July 31, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  2. Bozhok, Snizhana (November 12, 2020). "Вікторія Спартц: як українка потрапила в Конгрес і до чого тут потяг у Москву". BBC News Ukrainian (in Ukrainian).
  3. "Republican Victoria Spartz wins Indiana's 5th Congressional District race". indystar.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  4. "The first Ukrainian-born member of Congress". The Ukrainian Weekly.
  5. Schultz, Marisa (December 26, 2020). "Rep.-elect Victoria Spartz, raised in Soviet country, says it's 'crazy' for Americans to want socialism here". Fox News.
  6. "FIRST TIME IN HISTORY A UKRAINE-BORN PERSON WILL SERVE IN THE U.S. CONGRESS - VICTORIA SPARTZ, INDIANA'S 5th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT". www.usubc.org.
  7. "List of All Offices and Office Holders". Capitolandwashington.com. March 5, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  8. Lange, Kaitlin (May 31, 2020). "Republicans try to stand out in crowded Indiana 5th District race". Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana. Retrieved January 1, 2021. Bachelor's degree in international economics and master's degree in business administration from the National University of Economics in Ukraine, professional accountancy master's degree from Indiana University Indianapolis.
  9. Schultz, Marisa. Rep.-elect Victoria Spartz, raised in Soviet country, says it's 'crazy' for Americans to want socialism here, FOX News, December 28, 2020.
  10. Lange, Kaitlin (August 27, 2020). "How Victoria Spartz's Ukrainian roots influence her conservative values". Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  11. "One on One with Senator Victoria Spartz". Hamiltoncountybusiness.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  12. "Immigrant proud to be American on this day". The Times. Noblesville, Indiana. January 19, 2017. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018.
  13. "Victoria Spartz". Ballotpedia.org. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  14. Bowden, John. Rep.-elect Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.-05), The Hill, November 30, 2020.
  15. "CFO for Indiana Attorney General's office takes over Sen. Luke Kenley's seat - Indiana Economic Digest". Indianaeconomicdigest.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  16. "Ukrainian immigrant Spartz picked to replace Kenley in Senate". Ibj.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  17. "Indiana Legislator Database". Legdb.iga.in.gov. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  18. "Republicans make surprise pick to replace Sen. Luke Kenley". Indystar.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  19. "Indiana Primary Election Results: Fifth Congressional District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  20. "What Obamacare? Republican candidates go mum on health care law". NBC News. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  21. Stabile, Angelica (November 9, 2020). "13 GOP women join the House, dominating congressional elections, making history". FOX News. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  22. Gibson, Kaitlin Lange and London. "Republican Victoria Spartz wins Indiana's 5th Congressional District race". The Indianapolis Star.
  23. "Republican Spartz wins hard-fought Indiana US House race". Associated Press. November 4, 2020.
  24. Jankowicz, Mia. "A group of incoming GOP House members, calling themselves the 'Freedom Force,' are trying to counter Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 'Squad'". Business Insider.
  25. Parrott, Jeff (December 29, 2020). "GOP's 'Freedom Force' members say they are ready to take on the 'socialist Squad'". Deseret News.
  26. Parke, Caleb (December 1, 2020). "GOP Congresswoman-elect on forming 'Freedom Force': Left is 'totally out of line' with mainstream". Fox News.
  27. "The 'Freedom Force': Republican group takes on the Squad and 'evil' socialism". the Guardian. November 30, 2020.
  28. "Foxx Welcomes Committee Members Recommended for 117th Congress". Committee on Education & Labor Republicans. January 25, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  29. "Ranking Member Jordan Welcomes Members to House Judiciary Committee for the 117th Congress". House Judiciary Committee Republicans. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
Indiana Senate
Preceded by
Luke Kenley		 Member of the Indiana Senate
from the 20th district
2017–2020		 Succeeded by
Scott Baldwin
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Susan Brooks		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 5th congressional district
2021–present		 Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Maria Elvira Salazar		 United States Representatives by seniority
427th		 Succeeded by
Michelle Steel
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