Victoria Spartz

Victoria Spartz is a Ukrainian-born American politician and businesswoman currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 5th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, she has been in office since 2021 and is noted for being the first Ukrainian-born individual to serve in the United States Congress. Spartz has a diverse background in business and public service, having previously held a position in the Indiana Senate and worked in various capacities within the state government.

Early life and career

Victoria Kulheyko was born on October 6, 1978, in Nosivka, a town located in the Chernihiv Oblast of Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union. She spent her early childhood living with her grandparents until the age of five, after which her family moved to Chernihiv. There, she attended a local lyceum and graduated with high honors, receiving a gold medal for her academic achievements.

Spartz pursued higher education in Ukraine, earning both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration from Kyiv National Economic University. In 2000, at the age of 22, she immigrated to the United States, where she later became a U.S. citizen in 2006. To further her education, she attended the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, where she earned a Master of Accountancy degree.

Before entering politics, Spartz held several professional licenses and positions. She was a certified public accountant from 2010 until 2021 and held a real estate broker license from 2003 to 2020. Her career included serving as Chief Financial Officer in the Indiana Attorney General's office and as an adjunct faculty member at the Kelley School of Business. Additionally, she was a founding member of the Hamilton County Tea Party and owned various real estate and farming businesses.

In 2017, Spartz was appointed to the Indiana Senate, representing the 20th district after the resignation of Luke Kenley. Her tenure in the state legislature helped pave the way for her later congressional career.

House tenure

Victoria Spartz was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, officially beginning her term in January 2021. As a member of Congress, she has distinguished herself as the first Ukrainian-born representative in U.S. history. Throughout her time in office, she has been associated with a group of Republican members known as the Freedom Force, which aims to combat perceived socialist influences in America.

Spartz's congressional tenure has been marked by notable events and controversies. In September 2021, she was reported to have violated the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, a law designed to prevent insider trading by members of Congress, by failing to disclose a stock purchase in Simon Property Group. Additionally, her office has experienced significant staff turnover, with reports indicating that her turnover rate was substantially higher than the average for congressional offices. Allegations of a challenging work environment have been raised, with former aides describing a toxic atmosphere characterized by high expectations and a lack of support.

In June 2024, following a series of staff departures, it was reported that the House ethics committee had opened an investigation into allegations of abusive behavior and a toxic work environment within her office. These allegations were made public prior to the congressional primaries, but the investigation was postponed to avoid influencing the election.

During the 2023 Speaker of the House elections, Spartz's voting behavior drew attention. She initially supported the party nominee, Kevin McCarthy, but later opted to vote "present" on multiple ballots, expressing her discontent with his leadership. She also voted against a motion to vacate McCarthy's position but ultimately opposed his removal in October 2023. In subsequent speaker elections, she cast her vote for Thomas Massie instead of the party nominee, Jim Jordan, although she supported the nominee in later ballots.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout her time in the House of Representatives, Victoria Spartz has focused on various legislative issues, particularly those that resonate with her background and experiences. As a member of Congress with Ukrainian roots, she has been vocal about international matters, especially regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Following the Russian invasion in early 2022, Spartz described the situation as a genocide against the Ukrainian people and was among the first U.S. officials to label Russian actions as war crimes.

Her personal connection to the conflict, with family members still residing in Ukraine, has driven her advocacy for increased humanitarian aid and support for Ukraine. Spartz traveled to Ukraine twice in April 2022, becoming one of the first U.S. officials to visit the country since the onset of the war. During these visits, she met with various officials and expressed concerns about the effectiveness of international aid efforts.

In addition to her advocacy for Ukraine, Spartz has been critical of the Ukrainian government, particularly President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She has raised concerns about the leadership's preparedness for war and the management of U.S. military assistance, calling for greater oversight of weaponry provided to Ukraine. Her criticisms have included specific allegations against high-ranking officials within the Ukrainian government, highlighting issues of accountability and governance.

Spartz has not received any committee assignments during her time in Congress, which is unusual for a member of the House. This decision reflects her independent approach to her role and her focus on specific legislative priorities rather than traditional party lines.

Overall, Victoria Spartz's career in the U.S. House of Representatives has been characterized by her unique background, her vocal stance on international issues, particularly regarding Ukraine, and her contentious office environment. As she continues to serve, her actions and decisions will likely remain under scrutiny as she navigates the complexities of congressional politics and her responsibilities to her constituents.