A circular filing squad

Plus: The latest from Rep. Victoria Spartz, the Hamlet of Hamilton County.

HAMLET OF HAMILTON COUNTY: Rep. Victoria Spartz is waffling on her decision to retire, after the Indiana Republican announced last year that she planned to leave Congress.

“I will probably make my decision what to do this weekend,” Spartz said in a text message to POLITICO on Thursday. “I’ll keep you posted!” 

While Spartz is remaining noncommittal about whether she is changing her plans — a move that would fit seamlessly with her unpredictable record in D.C. — Indiana Republicans increasingly expect her to file for re-election in the next few days, according to three Indiana Republicans who have observed her political operation in recent days and were granted anonymity to speak freely.  

"She's hiring more staff. Again, not something you would do if you're done in December,” said one of those Republicans, an elected GOP official in the state who felt for months she would reverse course. “You wouldn't be like adding so many more town halls just at the filing deadline if you were done in December. You wouldn't be doing franking mail if you're done in December. So she's running again.”