For the last couple of terms, Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District has been “represented” (note quotation marks) by Victoria Spartz. I will refrain from characterizing the Congresswoman, since I live in Indiana’s Seventh Congressional district (where I am very happy with my own Congressman, Andre Carson). I’ll just link to a 2025 Town Hall meeting at which her constituents–in a district she’s helping to turn from Red to Purple–roundly booed her performance in office.
I will also share that I was delighted when, a week or so ago, J.D. Ford announced he’d be running against Spartz. J.D. is one of the more thoughtful members of Indiana’s terrible state legislature. (I know–being “more thoughtful” than the MAGA culture warriors who dominate that body is faint praise…But J.D. has been an informed and hardworking member of the Indiana Senate since he was elected to that body in 2018.)
When I saw the announcement, I dug through my past posts to retrieve what I had written when J.D. first opposed then-incumbent Mike Delph. As he prepares to run against an equally unsuitable incumbent, I thought I would share that post.
At a recent candidate forum, J.D. Ford–who is running against Mike Delph–made what should have been one of those “duh, yeah, we learned that in high school civics” observations: when businesses open their doors to the public, that constitutes an obligation to serve all members of that public.
There is a reciprocal relationship–a social contract– between business and government. The government (which collects taxes from everyone in its jurisdiction, no matter their race, religion or sexual orientation) uses those tax dollars to provide services. Those services are an essential infrastructure for the American businesses that must ship goods over publicly-financed roads, depend upon police and fire departments for safety, and (in some cities, at least) public transportation to bring workers and customers to their premises.
As Ford noted, business that want to discriminate– who want to pick and choose which members of the public they will serve–are violating that social contract. They want the services that are supported by the tax dollars of all segments of the public, but they don’t want to live up to their end of the bargain.
Where Ford (and I) see fundamental fairness, Mike Delph (surprise, surprise!) sees religious intolerance.
“I was saddened to hear him express such intolerance for those of us that hold deep religious conviction,” Delph told The Star. “Religious liberty is a fundamental American ideal.”
Let’s call this the bull*** that it is.
If your religious beliefs preclude you from doing business with gays, or Jews, or blacks, then don’t open a retail establishment. Don’t enter into a contract knowing that you will not honor its terms.
Religious liberty allows you to hold any beliefs you want. It allows you to preach those beliefs in the streets, and to refuse to socialize with people of whom you disapprove. You have the right to observe the rules of your particular religion in your home and church, and the government cannot interfere. But when you use religious beliefs–no matter how sincere–to disadvantage people who are entitled to expect equal treatment, when you use those beliefs as an excuse not to uphold your end of the social contract, that’s a bridge too far.
It would be wonderful to have an Indiana Congressional Representative who clearly understands that basic constitutional principle.
Important as that is, my enthusiastic support isn’t based only that essential understanding.
During his time in the Indiana Senate, Ford has demonstrated the ability to get things done, even as a member of the minority. He’s served as Caucus Chair of the Indiana Senate Democrats, and during the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions, served on a variety of committees, including Education and Career Development, Elections, Ethics, Family and Children Services, the Health and Provider Services, Local Government, and Rules and Legislative Procedures committees.
And unlike Spartz, who has a reputation for public outbursts and confrontations with colleagues and staff, and for a management style politely described as “dysfunctional” (a style that has contributed to high levels of staff turnover and general lack of effectiveness), J.D. has modeled appropriate legislative behavior.
He’s also a really nice guy.
Fifth District voters– if you send J.D. Ford to Congress, you won’t have to yell at him in Town Hall meetings….
Totally, absolutely, completely agree! Add that Spartz in addition to being dysfunctionally ineffective doesn’t seem like a person with good character. She’s just not nice.
Oh, and as a veteran I’m offended by her consistent capitalizing on photo ops with veterans when she votes 🗳️ against any and all measures to protect or help veterans.
Spartz got booed both inside and outside of City Hall in Muncie when she visited in what I can now say was political theatre. She wanted to capture the angry crowd as “out of control Democrats taken over by the mind virus.” LOL
Her goal was to gain the sympathy and outrage from her MAGA supporters. She literally used the outrage of her constituents due to her poor voting record against the people and the fact she refused to answer questions from her voting base.
When sharing her video on social media, it was clear the Victoria Spartz only works for her MAGA voters, so she better hope that enough of them show up to vote for her or this will be the last year she gets a federal paycheck.
Who will be running to take Senator Ford’s seat in the state senate?
It’s good to know that at one additional district in Indiana has a possibility of being rational. Are there any other districts that, with a decent candidate, might also be persuaded to come into the light?
Here in Florida’s 19th district, the Democratic candidates have been coming from somewhere near the clown car. If I weren’t so damned old and disabled, I’d run myself. Our current Rep, Byron Donalds, thinks he is destined to be the next governor. He has been endorsed by Orange Jesus, so his chances are good. I’m going to vote for David Jolly in the Democratic primary. He’ll at least have name recognition and that might be a deciding factor this year.
VOTE!
Senator Ford has been a steadfast supporter of Democratic candidates in Hamilton County for years. Hard work, thoughtful rhetoric, reasoned policies articulated in ways voters can clearly understand, no artifice. I have attended several events where he spoke and strongly endorse him for Congress. I know there are several others who have declared and are worthy of consideration.
Interesting to note as of 1/26/2026, there are Democrats filing to run in every district but the 2nd. South Bend surely can come up with a worthy candidate. Pete Buttigieg was very successful there.
The party conventions will tell the tale. If the old guard prevails, nothing will change in either party. Beckwith manipulated his party convention by recruiting his church members for precinct positions. MAGA clearly has control of one party. Let’s make sure we have new ideas and commitments to run against him and his WCN.
There are reports that the Hyatt Regency downtown has reserved rooms for ICE agents descending on Indianapolis soon. DHS and TPUSA are recruiting virtually in Feb on IU campus. Purdue just dropped its Ag degree program, once one of its foundational schools. If we sit around and despair, give up in advance, we are no different that the “good Germans” of the 1930s.
RESIST.
JD Ford is a wonderful person, who has supported and represented my district well. He routinely has conversations and Q&A sessions with his constituents at various coffee shops and cafes in his district, and responds with actual answers to questions. If he doesn’t know the answer, he says, “I don’t know, but I will check on that and let you know” (and then follows through), rather than give the typical political double speak BS that means nothing. He’s the real deal and, if elected, will serve Indiana fairly, and with integrity, in Congress. Something we’ve been severely lacking!
I will proudly support him as a Pendleton resident.
J D Vance is SUPER!!!! Such good news!