Spartz wins 3rd Congressional term

Nov. 5—ANDERSON — Republican Victoria Spartz has won a third term to represent Indiana's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Spartz announced a year ago that she wouldn't seek a third term but changed her mind and filed her candidacy in January. She won the party's nomination in a contentious primary in May.

Spartz was opposed in the general election by Democrat Deborah Pickett, Libertarian Lauri Shillings and independent Robby Slaughter.

In Madison County, Spartz received 59% of early votes cast, compared to 36% for Pickett. Across the 5th District, Spartz was leading by a 53% to 42% margin over Pickett as results were reported Tuesday evening.

"We will have to govern," Spartz said Tuesday evening. "I want to deal with the health care issue and really work on it."

Spartz said she was appreciative of the support of voters in Madison County.

"We need to do great for the people," she said. "That will be the challenge. Hopefully, the voters will give Republicans a chance to govern. I will do my part."

Concerning the economy, Spartz said spending must be cut and changes made to reform welfare to empower, not suppress, low-income individuals, and to balance the budget.

"The debt can be tackled, not by raising taxes on U.S. citizens, but by taking a critical look at the unnecessary spending of the federal government," Spartz said.