J.D. Ford Defeats Victoria Spartz in Indiana House Race

Democrat J.D. Ford defeated three-term Republican incumbent Victoria Spartz in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District, flipping a seat that President Donald Trump carried by nearly 17 percentage points in 2024. The Associated Press called the race for Ford on November 3, the day of the election. The result gives Democrats a pickup in a district that Republicans had held for decades, according to reports on the race. Ford is a state senator; Spartz had represented the district in Congress since her first election. Reported vote totals reflected different stages of counting. With 99% counted, one account put Ford at 51.7% and Spartz at 48.3%. Decision Desk HQ called the race for Ford with 95% counted, reporting 51.79% for Ford and 48.21% for Spartz. An earlier account, citing Hoosier Enquirer, reported Ford with 51.81% and Spartz with 48.19% when 90% was counted. These are snapshots from separate points in the count, not certified final totals. The result was a notable shift in a district described as Republican-leaning. Trump won it by nearly 17 percentage points in 2024, according to the Associated Press. Before Election Day, Decision Desk HQ rated the contest likely Republican,...