![]() ![]() A Congresswoman representing central Indiana is taking a step back from national politics. This week, Spartz won an uncontested primary ahead of likely reelection in what is a safe red-district.NOBLESVILLE, Ind. The former staffers interviewed said they decided not to play Spartz the tapes of her own voice in order to avoid further conflict with their then-boss, despite her requesting that the conversations be recorded. That paralysis, as well as Spartz’s assertions that her staff would frequently get her demands wrong, led to a mutually agreed-upon practice between her and employees to make audio recordings of her requests or guidance for tasks she wanted completed.īut despite the existence of that audio, former staffers said, Spartz at times would later deny that she asked her aides to take a certain action or accuse aides of doing something she didn’t want. Some of the former staffers pointed to Spartz’s inability to make up her mind about standard decisions - including about hiring new aides - as another significant problem. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), who emigrated from Ukraine, speaks about the war in Ukraine during a Republican news conference ahead of the State of the Union on March 1, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Meanwhile, behind closed doors, staffers say her response to previous staff departures followed a familiar pattern, according to multiple former staffers and Republicans: She would respond that she was effectively doing the jobs of her exiting aides anyway. She’s shared emotional stories about the distress she’s experienced keeping in touch with her family during Russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine. Spartz, a 43-year-old former state senator, is experiencing a period of heightened visibility as the first Ukrainian immigrant elected to the House. And with her gone, the situation is expected to get worse for those left behind. More than one former Spartz aide described group discussions about pacts to leave the office if Hudson left. Hudson’s exit on Friday comes after another senior staffer left in November, which means there will be no barriers between Spartz and more junior aides for the time being. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), who left the House to lead Donald Trump’s new social media platform.Ĭompounding the problem for Spartz aides is this week’s pending departure of her chief of staff, Renee Hudson, whom one former staffer praised as the “gold standard” for a boss - one who shielded them from the worst fallout and held the office together. She fell only behind a member who retired in the middle of his term: Rep. The nonpartisan website Legistorm listed Spartz as the House member with the most employee turnover in 2021, with staffers leaving at more than 3.5 times the average of congressional offices. “The reason for departing after a short time was because of her.” “Manic is a correct description,” said another former staffer of Spartz’s behavior in the workplace. While some employees have left Spartz’s payroll for other job opportunities, former staffers said it’s clear to current and past employees - as well as others in the Indiana delegation - that aides who have left after a couple of months did so because the work environment became untenable. Inside Spartz’s office, three of the former staffers accused the Republican of raising tensions by usually avoiding firings and instead bullying aides until they leave on their own. I remain focused on working hard for the people of Indiana,” she said.Ĭomplaints against Spartz’s workplace culture are bubbling to the surface under a dome already shaken by the torrent of anonymous toxic-boss allegations shared by the popular Instagram account “Dear White Staffers.” Unproven charges about Spartz have shown up on the account, along with stories about numerous other lawmakers, which has helped fuel the push for a congressional staff union to ensure better workplace protections. I work extremely hard at a pace that is not for everyone. “I’m grateful to my current and former staff. ![]() In a statement for this story through a spokesperson, Spartz acknowledged that her working style is “not for everyone.” That staff was really trauma bonded … we’ve all been through some shit.” “That’s the common theme: Staffers do their job, and then Victoria comes in saying that they have no idea what they’re doing, that they are morons, calling them ‘idiots,’” said one former staffer. On more than one occasion, three former staffers said, Spartz likened her aides’ writing skills to those of elementary-school students and proclaimed that her children were more talented than her staff. Those former staffers and other Republicans told POLITICO she frequently yells and curses at aides, belittling her staff’s intelligence and berating them in front of others - members, constituents and even with reporters in close proximity. ![]()
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