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][6][7]
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
Victoria Kulheyko was born in Nosivka,[5] Chernihiv Oblast, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. (The UKSR later became the independent country of Ukraine in 1991 when Kulheyko was 13 years old).[7] 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] Spartz worked for Big 4 public accounting firms for Fortune 500 companies.[16][17] She was also an adjunct faculty member at the Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis,[18] and she has owned real estate and farming businesses.[19]
Spartz was appointed to the Indiana Senate from the 20th District in 2017 after Luke Kenley resigned.[20]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
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.[21]
In a May 2020 campaign advertisement, Spartz touted her opposition to the Affordable Care Act; after winning the Republican primary, Spartz muted her opposition to the ACA.[22] In the November general election, Spartz won the seat, deeating the Democratic nominee, former member of the Indiana House of Representatives Christina Hale.[23][24][25]
| 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".[26][27][28][29]
Personal life
Spartz married her husband, Jason Spartz, in 2000. The Spartzes have two daughters.[10]
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.
- ^ a b "The first Ukrainian-born member of Congress". The Ukrainian Weekly.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "How Victoria Spartz's Ukrainian roots influence her conservative values". Indy Star. August 27, 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.
- ^ Hamilton County Business Magazine
- ^ ABOUT VICTORIA, SpartzForCongress.com
- ^ "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". NBC News. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- ^ Stabile, Angelica (November 9, 2020). "13 GOP women join the House, dominating congressional elections, making history". FOX News. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
- ^ Gibson, Kaitlin Lange and London. "Republican Victoria Spartz wins Indiana's 5th Congressional District race". The Indianapolis Star.
- ^ "Republican Spartz wins hard-fought Indiana US House race". Associated Press. November 4, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Parrott, Jeff (December 29, 2020). "GOP's 'Freedom Force' members say they are ready to take on the 'socialist Squad'". Deseret News.
- ^ Parke, Caleb (December 1, 2020). "GOP Congresswoman-elect on forming 'Freedom Force': Left is 'totally out of line' with mainstream". Fox News.
- ^ "The 'Freedom Force': Republican group takes on the Squad and 'evil' socialism". the Guardian. November 30, 2020.