Spartz Named Winner In Close Race For District 5

It took more than a day to name Republican Victoria Spartz the official winner in Indiana’s 5th District. The close contest was called Wednesday night by the AP.

The results of the race between Spartz and Democratic candidate Christina Hale were held up as Marion and Hamilton counties counted more than 100,000 combined absentee ballots.  

As of late Wednesday night more than 99 percent of the votes had been counted with Spartz getting more than 50 percent compared to Hale’s 46 percent.

In a written statement Hale conceded. “This was a historically close race, and our message clearly resonated with voters,” Hale said.

Late on election night Spartz claimed victory during a speech in Carmel. In the same hour, Hale said she would not concede until all of the absentee ballots were counted. 

National attention was placed on the 5th District seat as one that could flip from Republican to Democrat after Republican Susan Brooks announced she not to seek re-election. Outside groups purchased more than $10 million in advertising for the candidates.

The district makes up a diverse area including most of Hamilton, Tipton, Madison and Grant counties as well as the northern part of Marion County.

The close race indicates a shift for the historically Republican stronghold.