Lawmakers representing the greater Indianapolis area in the U.S. House of Representatives will retain their seats. U.S. House District 7 Democrat Andre Carson race was called early in the night. Victoria Spartz will also keep her District 5 seat in the U.S. House.
U.S. HOUSE 7th DISTRICT
U.S. Congressman Democrat Andre Carson will continue to represent the 7th District, as he has since 2008. The U.S.House of Representatives position covers most of Marion County.
At a watch party in Indianapolis Carson said a win for him is a win for the Democrat party.
"Our party has the best message, our party has the best agenda, our party represents the true values of the American people," Carson said.
Carson said he’s been focused on numerous priority issues that most impact constituents. He said the cost of living for working, middle-class Hoosiers, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and security issues are top issues.
He said the nation's security was shaken January 6, 2021, the day of the U.S. Capitol insurrection.
"An empty building with broken glass and debris and then piece by piece, brick by brick we started to rebuild our democracy.
Carson was first elected to the seat after his grandmother passed – Julia Carson served as U.S. Congresswoman from 1997 to 2007. She was the first Black representative to serve the Indianapolis area in Congress.
In answer to a WFYI candidate survey before the election Carson wrote that Congress needs to do more for the middle-class, “From housing costs, to continue reducing inflation, lawmakers have a responsibility to remove financial burdens and make life a little easier for those who might otherwise be living paycheck to paycheck.”
Carson competed against two candidates in the race for the 7th District. Republican candidate Angela Grabovsky and Libertarian candidate Gavin Maple.
U.S. HOUSE 5TH DISTRICT
Victoria Spartz wins a second term to serve Indiana’s U.S. House District 5. The district covers part of the northside of Indianapolis and the city’s eastern and north suburbs – including Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Marion, Anderson and parts of Kokomo.
Spartz spent Election night in Muncie. She said she's excited to continue her work in D.C.
"To work with my fellow Republicans, and even with Democrats if they want to work with us in Congress to deliver some results because people are tired and we have some real issues and we need to have some real policy solutions," Spartz said.
Spartz said she talked to many Hoosiers at the polls on Election Day.
"I just love my great state and these common sense policies are just really badly needed in D.C." she said.
Spartz won the District 5 seat in 2020. Before that, she served in Senate District 20, appointed in 2017 following the departure of Luke Kennley. Originally from Ukraine, Spartz has worked as an accountant and a business owner.
In answer to a WFYI candidate survey before the election, Spartz wrote, “Congress needs to address border security and immigration; economy and inflation; energy policies; health care; congressional oversight and spending; constitutional rights, including Big Tech and DOJ/FBI powers; education; and foreign policy challenges.”
Spartz competed against Democrat Jeannine Lee Lake.
