Spartz warns McCarthy she may seek reelection after all: 'My party is failing the people'

Republican Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz appears to be reconsidering her decision not to seek reelection in 2024 amid a spat with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over his handling of the nation's finances.

Spartz on Monday called McCarthy a "weak Speaker" and excoriated his "lack of leadership" following his negotiation of a continuing resolution with the House Freedom Caucus to avert a government shutdown. "Neither Republicans nor Democrats have the backbone to challenge the corrupt swamp that is bankrupting our children and grandchildren," she warned. McCarthy that [i]f Spartz "is concerned about fighting stronger, I wish she would've run again and not quit."

The Indiana lawmaker had announced in February that she would not seek reelection, but indicated Monday evening that her frustrations with McCarthy's leadership had forced her to revisit the decision due to a fear that an unchallenged Republican establishment would not push for bold, necessary changes to American governance.

"Well, his wishes might come true. I’m not sure if he really wishes that, but, you know, I’ll be honest with you — I do need to regroup because I think my party is failing the people," she said during an appearances on NewsNation. "But maybe this fight needs to be won here and I have to decide because I feel if we are not going to save this republic, there is no [one] else who's going to stand up for people."

"I'm not going to quit the fight for our country," Spartz went on. "I just need to decide where the battles have to be fought. And unfortunately, with this leadership, I don't think we can win unless we make some changes."

Spartz was one of a handful of Republicans who initially resisted McCarthy's rise to the speakership, though she supported him in the 12th round of voting during the leadership contest.

The Ukrainian-born lawmaker first entered Congress in 2021.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.