The Associated Press projected Democrat Frank Mrvan won re-election to Indiana's 1st Congressional District seat on Tuesday, Nov. 3, defeating Republican Barb Regnitz.

Mrvan received about 63% of the vote and Regnitz received about 37%, with roughly 80% of ballots counted, according to AP results reported by FOX59. AP's Indiana U.S. House results page will continue to update as more votes are counted.

AP declares winners only when its Decision Team determines the trailing candidate no longer has a path to victory.

Mrvan is seeking a fourth term in the district, which includes Lake and Porter counties and a portion of LaPorte County. Regnitz, a Porter County commissioner, challenged him with a campaign focused on cutting federal spending and strengthening border enforcement, according to Capital B Gary.

The winner will write and vote on federal laws, help decide how federal money is spent and assist residents dealing with federal agencies, according to Capital B Gary.

Those decisions show up locally through funding for the South Shore Line, the Gary/Chicago International Airport, Medicare dollars that keep hospitals open and federal disaster relief.

What's at stake

The race carries weight beyond Northwest Indiana. Republicans hold the U.S. House majority, and Democrats are working to flip it, State Affairs Indiana first reported. The outcome will help determine which party controls the chamber's legislative agenda and committee leadership.

Marie Eisenstein, an Indiana University Northwest associate professor of political science, told State Affairs Indiana that presidential results show a district moving toward Republicans. But congressional voters have been slower to follow.

"The presidential trend suggests a more competitive district, but data from previous House elections show otherwise," Eisenstein said.

Frank Mrvan

Mrvan, a Hammond native and former North Township trustee, was first elected to Congress in 2020. He succeeded longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, according to Capital B Gary.

He serves on the House Appropriations Committee, which helps determine how federal money is distributed. He also serves as vice chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, according to FOX59.

His campaign says he has helped secure more than $100 million in community funding for water, sewer and stormwater improvements, environmental projects, first responders and higher education, Capital B Gary reported.

Mrvan won the May primary with 80.2% of the vote, according to FOX59. He won re-election in 2024 with 53% against Republican Randy Niemeyer, carrying Lake County by 29,651 votes, State Affairs Indiana reported.

His 2026 campaign focuses on growing the Northwest Indiana economy, lowering healthcare and energy costs and making groceries more affordable, according to FOX59. He supports preserving federal health insurance programs, a pathway to citizenship for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and Section 232 tariffs protecting domestic steel producers, Capital B Gary reported.

Mrvan opposes broader tariffs, which he said increase prices.

Barb Regnitz

Regnitz, a Valparaiso resident, won a three-way Republican primary in May with 45.8% of the vote, according to FOX59. She is a former software engineer for United Airlines and a financial planner, Capital B Gary reported.

She has received endorsements from President Donald Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, according to Capital B Gary.

Her campaign emphasizes reducing the national debt, strengthening border enforcement and cutting government waste. She told the Post-Tribune she decided to run because she sees problems that are not getting fixed, Capital B Gary reported.

Regnitz also supports changes to election procedures, including greater reliance on in-person voting and watermarked paper ballots, according to Capital B Gary. She advocates easing barriers to housing construction and lowering energy expenses.

On immigration, she supports stronger border enforcement while simplifying the legal immigration process, Capital B Gary reported.

The ground game

Organized labor is backing Mrvan. Steven Minchuk, president of the Northern Indiana Area Labor Federation, told State Affairs Indiana that members are canvassing neighborhoods, making phone calls and distributing yard signs.

"Our members are responding to workplace issues, rising household costs and national politics," Minchuk said.

Lake County Democratic Party Chair Mike Repay told State Affairs Indiana that canvassers keep hearing one thing from voters.

"Frustration," Repay said. "Mostly about the cost of living and a sense that Washington argues while nothing gets cheaper."

Dan Hennessey, Regnitz's campaign manager, told State Affairs Indiana the path to victory runs through turnout.

Write-in candidates

Two certified write-in candidates also appear on the Indiana Secretary of State's candidate list: Alexander R. Degman, listed as Independent, and a candidate listed under the ballot name "Prescription Dope Deaths Johnson, Jr." No background information on either candidate was available in public reporting.

The AP projected Mrvan the winner in Indiana's 1st District. With about 80% of votes counted, Mrvan had about 63% and Regnitz about 37%, according to AP results reported by FOX59. Complete unofficial results may not be available election night, according to the Indiana Election Night Reporting site. Check AP's results page for updates.