U.S. House · Indiana's 5th District

Central Indiana, including the northern Indianapolis suburbs (Hamilton, Madison, and surrounding counties)

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 20 claims re-checked against their sources

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

On the ballot · 2 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUEVictoria Spartz
R
J.D. Ford
D
Protect legal access to abortionOpposes[17][18]votes—
Stricter gun lawsOpposes[15][16]votes—
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsSupports[5][6][7][8][9][10]votes—
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsOpposes[6][7][8][13]votes—
Expand public health coverageOpposes[6][7][8][11]votesSupports[3]
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsOpposes[6][7][8][12][13]votes—
Broad tariffs on imported goodsSupports[14]votes—
Universal, publicly funded child careOpposes[12]votesSupports[3]

The candidates, in full

Victoria Spartz

RINCUMBENTU.S. Representative, Indiana's 5th District (since 2021)

Won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary over Scott King, 59.9% to 40.1%

Victoria Spartz is the incumbent Republican U.S. Representative for Indiana's 5th District, born in Ukraine and first elected to Congress in 2020 after serving in the Indiana Senate.[2]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Key votes in Congress

  • NoWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · H. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · 2026-06-03 roll call ↗The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
  • NoResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · H.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · 2026-02-11 roll call ↗The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
  • NoConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government funding · H.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · 2026-02-03 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
  • NoBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · H.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · 2026-01-08 roll call ↗The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
  • NoWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela · H. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
  • YesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · 2025-12-10 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
  • YesEpstein Files Transparency Act · H.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · 2025-11-18 roll call ↗The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
  • YesContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · 2025-11-12 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
  • YesCLARITY Act — digital asset market structure · H.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
  • YesGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation · S. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · 2025-07-03 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
  • YesRescissions Act of 2025 · H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · 2025-06-12 roll call ↗The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · 2025-05-22 roll call ↗H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
  • YesSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · H.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · 2025-04-10 roll call ↗The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
  • YesFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 · H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · 2025-03-11 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
  • YesLaken Riley Act — final passage · S. 5 · Passed 263–156 · 2025-01-22 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
  • YesSecure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · H.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · 2023-05-11 roll call ↗Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers.
  • NoInflation Reduction Act — final House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–207 · 2022-08-12 roll call ↗Enacted clean-energy and climate tax credits, a 15% minimum tax on large corporations' book income, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, and Medicare drug-price negotiation.
  • NoAssault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 1808 · Passed 217–213 · 2022-07-29 roll call ↗Would have banned the sale, manufacture and import of many semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
  • NoWomen's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 8296 · Passed 219–210 · 2022-07-15 roll call ↗Passed after Dobbs; would have created a federal statutory right to abortion services and limited state restrictions.
  • NoBipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · S. 2938 · Passed 234–193 · 2022-06-24 roll call ↗Expanded background checks for buyers under 21, funded state red-flag and crisis-intervention programs, and narrowed the "boyfriend loophole."
  • NoBuild Back Better Act — House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–213 · 2021-11-19 roll call ↗Would have funded clean-energy tax credits, universal pre-kindergarten and child-care subsidies, and extended health-coverage subsidies; it did not pass the Senate.
  • NoWomen's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 3755 · Passed 218–211 · 2021-09-24 roll call ↗Would have created a federal statutory right for providers to offer, and patients to receive, abortion services, limiting state restrictions.
  • NoAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 228–197 · 2021-03-18 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.

On the record — official actions

  • actionAssigned to the Joint Economic Committee for the 119th Congress (2025-2026).[2]
  • actionServed on the House Judiciary Committee during the 118th Congress (2023-2024), including its Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust subcommittee.[2]

Positions on the issues

  • OpposesStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29). Voted no on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24).[15][16]

    What they say: Campaign website says Second Amendment freedoms must be preserved against government overreach.[4]

    “We must preserve our 2nd Amendment freedoms against the tyranny of the government”
  • OpposesProtect legal access to abortionFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24). Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15).[17][18]

    What they say: Campaign website says the sanctity of all human life must be protected, listing it alongside her constitutional priorities.[4]

    “protect the sanctity of all human life”
  • SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted yes on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11). Voted no on American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6, 2021-03-18).[5][6][7][8][9][10]

  • OpposesExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted no on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08).[6][7][8][11]

  • OpposesFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits. Voted no on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19; 2022-08-12), which would have funded clean-energy tax credits.[6][7][8][12][13]

  • OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent. Voted no on Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376, 2022-08-12), which added a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a stock-buyback excise tax.[6][7][8][13]

  • SupportsBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11).[14]

  • OpposesUniversal, publicly funded child careFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19), which would have funded universal pre-K and child-care subsidies.[12]

In their words — priorities

  • Campaign website says the national debt should be tackled through spending cuts and welfare reform rather than by raising taxes, and calls for balancing the budget.[4]
  • Campaign website says the legal immigration process should be reformed, including a more robust work visa program, to better curb illegal immigration.[4]
  • Campaign website lists preserving Second Amendment freedoms and protecting the sanctity of human life among her constitutional priorities.[4]

Background

  • Born in Nosivka, Ukraine, in 1978. Earned a bachelor's and MBA from the National University of Economics in Kyiv and an M.P.A. from Indiana University in 2006.[2]
  • Worked as a certified public accountant and auditor before entering politics.[2]
  • Served in the Indiana Senate from 2017 to 2020.[2]
  • Serves on the Joint Economic Committee in the 119th Congress; previously served on the House Judiciary Committee's Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust and Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement subcommittees.[2]

Campaign money

Raised $1.3M · spent $1.4M · $230K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

J.D. Ford

DIndiana State Senator, District 29 (2018-2026; not seeking re-election to the state Senate)

Won a seven-candidate May 5, 2026 Democratic primary with 42.5% of the vote

J.D. Ford is the Democratic nominee for Indiana's 5th District. He has represented Indiana Senate District 29 since 2018, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Indiana General Assembly, and is not seeking re-election to the state Senate.[3]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

On the record — official actions

  • actionElected to the Indiana Senate in 2018, flipping the previously Republican-held District 29.[3]
  • actionServes on the Indiana Senate's Commerce and Technology, Education and Career Development, Health and Provider Services, Elections, Family & Children Services, Homeland Security and Transportation, Utilities, and Veterans Affairs and the Military committees during the 2025-2026 session.[3]

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsExpand public health coverage

    Says he would work to lower healthcare premiums by stopping what he describes as anti-competitive hospital mergers.[3]

  • SupportsUniversal, publicly funded child care

    Says he would expand the child and dependent care tax credit and treat childcare as essential infrastructure.[3]

In their words — priorities

  • Names affordability as a top message, saying he would work to block what he describes as anti-competitive hospital, insurance, and grocery mergers.[3]
  • Names care costs (childcare and senior care) as a priority, calling for an expanded child and dependent care tax credit and national minimum staffing standards for nursing homes.[3]
  • Says he would maintain an open-door policy with regular town halls, as he did in the Statehouse.[3]

Background

  • Earned a bachelor's degree in political science and criminal justice from the University of Akron and a master's degree in education from Purdue University.[3]
  • Worked as senior director of recruitment and expansion for Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc.[3]
  • Elected to Indiana Senate District 29 in 2018, defeating the Republican incumbent; is the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Indiana General Assembly.[3]
  • Serves on the Indiana Senate's Commerce and Technology, Education and Career Development, Health and Provider Services, Elections, Family & Children Services, Homeland Security and Transportation, Utilities, and Veterans Affairs and the Military committees in the 2025-2026 session.[3]

Campaign money

Raised $582K · spent $267K · $315K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Research notes & limits

Victoria Spartz has not completed a 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey; her spartz.house.gov Issues pages (Congress, Economy, Education, Health, Veterans) contain only press-release headlines with no current first-person statements. Positions and priorities are drawn from her campaign website's Issues page instead; her committee record is documented separately. Ballotpedia's sponsored-legislation table for J.D. Ford did not render in the fetched page, so specific bill numbers are not included; his committee assignments and campaign statements are used instead.

Sources · 18

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.Victoria Spartz · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  3. 3.J.D. Ford · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey / Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
  4. 4.Victoria on the Issues · Victoria Spartz for Congress · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
  5. 5.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  6. 6.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  7. 7.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  8. 8.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  9. 9.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-03-18 Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  12. 12.Roll call: Build Back Better Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-11-19 Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: Inflation Reduction Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-08-12 Official record
  14. 14.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
  15. 15.Roll call: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-29 Official record
  16. 16.Roll call: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-06-24 Official record
  17. 17.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-09-24 Official record
  18. 18.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-15 Official record