U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan and Porter County Board of Commissioners Barb Regnitz were leading their respective primaries Tuesday for U.S. Representative in Indiana’s First District.
Mrvan, D-Highland, is seeking reelection and faced LaVetta Sparks-Wade, the former Gary parks director who was let go after being accused of harassment and ghost payrolling and a former Gary councilwoman, in the Democratic primary.
In the Republican primary, Regnitz was ahead of Ben Ruiz and James Kent (Jim) Schenke were at the top of the ticket.
Mrvan was leading in Lake County with 84.3% of the vote and in Porter County with 82.95% of the vote. Regnitz was leading in Lake County with 42.3% of the vote and in Porter County with 61.6% of the vote, according to voting data from each county. They both lead in LaPorte County, according to unofficial sources.
“It is my distinct honor to earn the Democratic nomination to continue serving the people of Indiana’s First Congressional District. I am deeply grateful for the trust and support of voters across Northwest Indiana, and I also want to commend Sparks-Wafe for her spirited campaign, her willingness to step forward and her meaningful participation in our democratic process,” Mrvan said in a statement Tuesday night.
Mrvan said he’s seeking reelection to build on the successes he’s been able to deliver for Northwest Indiana and to continue to advocate for economic development projects, like the South Shore Line double-tracking project and public safety technology.
Mrvan, who is running for his fourth term as U.S. Representative, said he would like to remain co-chair of the steel caucus to ensure the steel industry, and by extension its workers, thrive, he said.
“Throughout my career as a public servant, I have focused on delivering real results for working families, seniors, veterans, and every community that calls Northwest Indiana home. I am running for re-election to build on the progress we have made together and to continue fighting for the hardworking people of this region,” Mrvan said in a statement.
Regnitz said she decided to run for U.S. Representative after seeing years of “how policies and political agendas have negatively impacted the American people.”
If elected, Regnitz said she would work to ensure prosperity for Americans, strong border policies and smarter government spending.
Regnitz said Tuesday she thanked God, her husband and the volunteers and supporters of her campaign.
“I look forward to campaigning for the general election. This district needs somebody that represents Hoosier values, not D.C. values,” Regnitz said. “I congratulate DC Frank Mrvan on his primary win tonight. And to DC Frank, I say, may the best woman win.”
Mrvan and Regnitz have different approaches to address inflation.
Congress has the constitutional authority to place tariffs, Mrvan said. The Trump administration’s tariffs have been burdening farmers, Mrvan said, which has translated into the increase in cost of food in grocery stores.
The uncertainty of the tariffs has increased inflation as well, Mrvan said. The U.S.-Israel war in Iran has also increased the cost of gas, which translates into an increase in the cost of goods as transportation costs increase, Mrvan said.
“If you want to lower inflation you absolutely, positively have to find a way to end President Trump’s war in Iran as quickly as possible so that we can bring down the cost at the gas pump and the cost at the grocery store,” Mrvan said.
Regnitz said she would use her background as a financial planner to “promote smarter spending and root out waste and fraud.” The U.S. has a spending problem not a tax collection problem, she said.
“I want Americans to have more than just an affordable life – I want them to have a prosperous life, one where they can dream big and afford those dreams. I look forward to applying my decades of experience solving financial problems for the people of this district and the American people,” Regnitz said.
The House rejected a resolution earlier this month requiring Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. Mrvan said he would vote in favor of a war powers resolution that would allow Congress to wage war and pull back the president’s authority over the war.
“Members of Congress have the constitutional authority to wage war,” Mrvan said. “These are very serious constitutional authorities and I don’t believe that this administration, through many, many, different opportunities, have articulated the imminent threat that exists.”
Regnitz said the time to discuss war powers “is before or after a conflict.” Every president since President Ronald Reagan has opposed a nuclear-armed Iran, she said.
“I support the men and women in harm’s way, our president and the goal of achieving an American victory,” Regnitz said.
