The Gist
Home

Federal

U.S. Representative, 5th Congressional District

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

Public safety

  • J.D. FordDemocratic

    • Supports universal background checks and red flag laws
    • Proposes requiring ICE body cameras and ending masked raids
  • Victoria SpartzRepublican

    • Supports border security and opposes open borders

Education

  • J.D. FordDemocratic

    • Opposes using public school money for private schools
  • Victoria SpartzRepublican

    No documented position found.

Housing

  • J.D. FordDemocratic

    • Proposes barring international investors and corporations from buying homes
  • Victoria SpartzRepublican

    No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

  • J.D. FordDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Victoria SpartzRepublican

    • Secured a Farm Bill amendment easing EPA farm-equipment rulesIn office

Roads & infrastructure

  • J.D. FordDemocratic

    • Supports making data centers pay their own utility costs
  • Victoria SpartzRepublican

    • Wrote federal agencies seeking a review of LEAP data centersIn office

Environment & parks

  • J.D. FordDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Victoria SpartzRepublican

    • Introduced a bill speeding licensing of small nuclear reactorsIn office

Health & human services

  • J.D. FordDemocratic

    • Supports restoring Medicaid funding and protecting rural hospitals
    • Supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law
  • Victoria SpartzRepublican

    • Introduced a bill restoring benefits for combat-disabled veteransIn office
    • Supports requiring upfront prices before medical careIn office

Government & transparency

  • J.D. FordDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Victoria SpartzRepublican

    • Secured a House-passed audit of FISA Section 702 surveillanceIn office

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.