Victoria Spartz (née Kulheyko) (Ukrainian: Вікторія Кульгейко, romanized: Viktoriya Kul'heyko);[2] born October 6, 1978) is a Ukrainian American politician and businesswoman serving as a member of the Indiana Senate from the 20th District.[3] She is the representative-elect in Indiana's 5th congressional district.[4] Spartz will be the first Ukrainian-born member of the U.S. Congress and the first member born in a then-Soviet Republic.[5]
Victoria Spartz | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 5th district | |
| Assuming office January 3, 2021 | |
| Succeeding | Susan Brooks |
| Member of the Indiana Senate from the 20th district | |
| In office October 1, 2017 – November 17, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Luke Kenley |
| Succeeded by | Scott Baldwin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Viktoriya Kulheyko October 6, 1978 Nosivka, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine)[1] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Jason Spartz (m. 2000) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Kyiv National Economic University (BS, MBA) Indiana University, Indianapolis (MAcc) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Early life and education
Spartz was born in Nosivka, Chernihiv Oblast, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became the independent country of Ukraine in 1991 when she was 13 years old.[6] Before moving to the United States, Spartz earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from the Kyiv National Economic University. She earned a Master of Accountancy from the Kelley School of Business of Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.[7]
While she was in college she met her future husband Jason Spartz on a train in Europe and they started dating.[8] She immigrated to the United States in 2000, at the age of 22, and became a U.S. citizen in 2006.[9][10][11]
Career
She founded the Hamilton County, Indiana, Tea Party.[12] Prior to her appointment to the Indiana Senate, she served as CFO in the office of Indiana Attorney General.[13] She was also an adjunct faculty at the Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis and a Big 4 auditor.[14] She owns real estate and farming businesses.[15]
She was appointed to the Indiana Senate from the 20th District in 2017 after Luke Kenley resigned.[16]
U.S. House of Representatives
After incumbent Republican Susan Brooks announced that she would not seek re-election in June 2019, Spartz announced her candidacy for Indiana's 5th congressional district. Spartz won the Republican primary on June 2, 2020, and faced former member of the Indiana House of Representatives Christina Hale in the November 2020 general election.[17]
In a May 2020 campaign advertisement, Spartz touted her opposition to the Affordable Care Act.[18] In September 2020, she campaigned for healthcare reform.[19] Spartz also focused on the supporting the Second Amendment and keeping government spending low.[20]
| 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 | |||||
Personal life
She married Jason Spartz in 2000, and they have two daughters.[21]
References
- ^ "Американська сенаторка родом із Носівки". golos.com.ua. July 31, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
- ^ Bozhok, Snizhana (November 12, 2020). "Вікторія Спартц: як українка потрапила в Конгрес і до чого тут потяг у Москву". BBC News Ukrainian (in Ukrainian).
- ^ "List of All Offices and Office Holders". Capitolandwashington.com. March 5, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Republican Victoria Spartz wins Indiana's 5th Congressional District race". indystar.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ https://www.usubc.org/site/recent-news/first-time-in-history-a-ukraine-born-person---will-serve-in-the-us-congress--victoria-spartz--indiana--039-s-5th-congressional-district
- ^ USUBC.or
- ^ "Victoria Spartz". Indiana Senate Republicans. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "One on One with Senator Victoria Spartz". Hamiltoncountybusiness.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Immigrant proud to be American on this day". The Times. Noblesville, Indiana. January 19, 2017. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018.
- ^ "Victoria Spartz". Ballotpedia.org. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Bowden, John. Rep.-elect Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.-05), The Hill, November 30, 2020.
- ^ "CFO for Indiana Attorney General's office takes over Sen. Luke Kenley's seat - Indiana Economic Digest". Indianaeconomicdigest.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Ukrainian immigrant Spartz picked to replace Kenley in Senate". Ibj.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Indiana Legislator Database". Legdb.iga.in.gov. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Republicans make surprise pick to replace Sen. Luke Kenley". Indystar.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Indiana Primary Election Results: Fifth Congressional District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "What Obamacare? Republican candidates go mum on health care law". www.nbcnews.com. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ "What Obamacare? Republican candidates go mum on health care law". NBC News. September 12, 2020.
- ^ Stabile, Angelica (November 9, 2020). "13 GOP women join the House, dominating congressional elections, making history". FOX News. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
- ^ "How Victoria Spartz's Ukrainian roots influence her conservative values". Indy Star. August 27, 2020.
External links
- Campaign website
- Indiana Senate page
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
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