Tuesday, May 18, 2010



















In his statement this morning, Mark Souder said:

“It is with great regret I announce that I am resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives as well as resigning as the Republican nominee for Congress in this fall’s election.”

He continued: “I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part time member of my staff. I am so shamed to have hurt those I love.” (Fox)

Now who will replace Souder at the Ballot is still a big question. The State government gives liberty to Mitch Daniels, to decide whether to call or not to call a special election before the resignation. However, any sign of such an election before November looks dim.

Ind. GOP Rep. Souder says he'll resign over affair

By TOM DAVIES and DEANNA MARTIN, Associated Press Writers Tom Davies And Deanna Martin, Associated Press Writers 14 mins ago

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Rep. Mark Souder — an evangelical Christian who promoted abstinence education and was known for his outspoken views on religion — said Tuesday he will resign from Congress because of an extramarital affair with a part-time staff member.

The announcement by the eight-term Republican rocked party leaders, who had counted on keeping the Republican-leaning district in a year that many expect will favor the GOP nationally come November.

Souder's staff contacted the staff of House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, on Sunday to alert them to the situation. Boehner spoke on the phone with Souder on Monday.

Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said the minority leader "has been perfectly clear that he will hold our members to the highest ethical standards."

Rumors of Souder's infidelity had circulated in the northeastern Indiana district for months. Opponents reported receiving anonymous calls a few days before the May 4 primary with allegations of the affair.

But Souder's announcement that he would resign effective Friday and the confession of the affair stunned many voters who had backed his conservative support for family values and traditional marriage.

"I just think it's a crying shame," said Jean Tarner, who owns the Huntington Street Bar in downtown Syracuse. "He's supposed to be setting the values for the youth. It's just too bad."

Souder was alone during an emotional news conference at his Fort Wayne office during which he apologized for his actions but provided no details, including the name of the staffer. He said his wife and family were "more than willing" to stand with him, but "the error is mine and I should bear the responsibility," Souder said.

"I am so ashamed to have hurt the ones I love," he said as he battled tears. "I am sorry to have let so many friends down, people who have worked so hard for me."

Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels said he was surprised and disappointed by Souder's announcement but supported his decision to leave office.

"He did a wrong thing but now he's done the right thing," Daniels said.

A spokeswoman from Daniels' office said a special election will be held to fill the vacancy. The winner would complete the remainder of Souder's term that ends in January.

Throughout his time in Congress, Souder made his evangelical Christianity a centerpiece of his public persona. It was an image that played well in the 3rd District, which has a strong base of religious conservatives. Souder was known for his outspoken views on religion and his uncompromising conservative positions on social issues such as abortion.

He said after a 2008 hearing on abstinence-only education that the only fully reliable way young people can protect themselves from pregnancy and STDs is by "abstaining from sex until in a committed, faithful relationship."

Around the same time, he also recorded a video interview with a staff member in which he stressed the importance of abstinence education.

As a lawmaker, Souder was best known for his work on drug enforcement issues and his opposition to online gambling. Souder played an important role in 2006 legislation that targeted methamphetamine dealers.

"To serve has been a blessing and a responsibility given from God. I wish I could have been a better example," Souder said. "I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff."

He said he chose to resign rather than subject his family to a "painful, drawn-out process" in what he called "the poisonous environment of Washington, D.C."

"I'm sick of politicians who drag their spouses in front of the cameras rather than confronting the problems that they've caused," he said.

Souder, 59, has been married to Diane since 1974, according to the biography on his office website. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.

He was seeking a ninth term after winning the May 4 Republican primary with 48 percent of the vote. His GOP opponent, car dealer Bob Thomas, spent much of his own money on television commercials portraying Souder as a career politician who wasn't a true fiscal conservative. Souder countered by emphasizing his A-plus marks from the National Rifle Association and 100 percent rating from the National Right to Life Committee.

Nate Bullock, a campaign spokesman for Thomas, said he received anonymous phone calls about Souder's affair shortly before the primary but wanted to run a campaign on the issues.

"We're not going to spend our time digging through the mud looking for every dirty little secret we can find on somebody," Bullock said.

In November, Souder was to face Democrat Tom Hayhurst, a former Fort Wayne city councilman who got 46 percent of the vote against Souder in 2006 — the toughest challenge since Souder was first elected in 1994.

Hayhurst said in statement that his thoughts and prayers were with Souder and his family.

"I'm not running for Congress to run against anyone, but I'm running because I think I can help change Washington and that will not change not matter who is in the race," Hayhurst said.

Republicans hope the GOP tendencies will prevail in November in the district that John McCain carried by more than 10 points in the 2008 presidential election.

Republican and Democratic precinct committeemen in the district will choose nominees for the special election, and GOP precinct officials will choose a candidate for the November ballot. The special election cannot be held until for at least 60 days.

One possible Republican replacement for Souder is state Sen. Marlin Stutzman of Howe, who finished second to former Sen. Dan Coats in this month's GOP primary for the U.S. Senate. Thomas and state GOP Rep. Randy Borror of Fort Wayne are also among those interested.

Souder's resignation continues a significant turnover among Indiana's congressional delegation this year.

Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh announced in February he wouldn't seek re-election, saying he had tired of Congress. Democratic Rep. Brad Ellsworth is leaving his southern Indiana seat to run for Bayh's position.

Republican Rep. Steve Buyer, who had been under fire over a foundation he'd set up to award college scholarships, said he wouldn't seek a 10th term in the House after his wife was diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease. The Office of Congressional Ethics took no action on a complaint filed by the Washington-based Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics.

___

Associated Press writers Henry C. Jackson in Washington and Rick Callahan in Indianapolis contributed to this report.

http://souder.house.gov/

http://www.souderforcongress.com/

http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_give/H4IN04099

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?CID=N00003844

DYE, BRUCE

FORT WAYNE,IN 46814
HERITAGE COMPANIES/OWNER 9/28/09 $4,800 Souder, Mark E (R)
CRAWFORD, JOHN

FORT WAYNE,IN 46815
FW RADIOLOGY/PHYSICIAN 11/30/09 $2,400 Souder, Mark E (R)
CRAWFORD, MARCIA

FORT WAYNE,IN 46815
SELF-EMPLOYED/DIETITION 4/7/10 $2,400 Souder, Mark E (R)
DEISTER, CYNTHIA

FORT WAYNE,IN 46814
HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER 9/28/09 $2,400 Souder, Mark E (R)
DYE, BRUCE

FORT WAYNE,IN 46814
HERITAGE COMPANIES/OWNER 9/28/09 $2,400 Souder, Mark E (R)
HANNING, RHONDA

FORT WAYNE,IN 46804
BILL'S BISTRO INC./MANAGER 3/14/10 $2,400 Souder, Mark E (R)
SCHLOSS, MESHELL

FORT WAYNE,IN 46804
LIGONIER TELEPHONE/PRESIDENT 4/8/10 $2,400 Souder, Mark E (R)
SCHROCK, H DOUGLAS

SYRACUSE,IN 46567
SMOKER CRAFT, INC./PRES. & CEO 12/29/09 $2,400 Souder, Mark E (R)
STRINGER, STEPHEN

FORT WAYNE,IN 46804
KROUSE, KERN, & CO. INC./CPA 8/12/09 $2,400 Souder, Mark E (R)
DEISTER, E MARK

FORT WAYNE,IN 46814
DEISTER MACHINE/PRESIDENT 9/28/09 $2,300 Souder, Mark E (R)
WOLF, VIRGINIA

FORT WAYNE,IN 46845
RETIRED/RETIRED 3/11/09 $2,300 Souder, Mark E (R)
HALDEWANG, WILLIAM

SYRACUSE,IN 46567
INDIAN COATED FABRICS/OWNER 3/15/10 $2,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
KELLEY, THOMAS

FORT WAYNE,IN 46804
KELLEY CHEVROLET/PRESIDENT 8/26/09 $2,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
TAYLOR, ROBERT

FORT WAYNE,IN 46814
DO IT BEST CORP./PRESIDENT 10/15/09 $2,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
WOLF, DON

FORT WAYNE,IN 46845
RETIRED/RETIRED 3/11/09 $1,700 Souder, Mark E (R)
BUCK, TOBIAS

WARSAW,IN 46580
PARAGON MEDICAL, INC./PRESIDENT AND 3/15/10 $1,500 Souder, Mark E (R)
SHEA, JAMES

MISHAWAKA,IN 46544
FAIRMOUNT HOMES INC/BUSINESS EXECUT 12/29/09 $1,500 Souder, Mark E (R)
BAER, ANDREW

MIDDLEBURY,IN 46540
K-Z RV, INC./VP SALES & MARKETING 2/1/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
BONTRAGER, DERALD

MIDDLEBURY,IN 46540
JAYCO/MFG EXEC AND OWNER 1/28/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
BONTRAGER, WILBUR

MIDDLEBURY,IN 46540
JAYCO INC./CEO 2/17/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
CHAMPAGNE, RENE

MARCO ISLAND,FL 34145
CAREER COLLEGE ASSOCIATION/CHAIRMAN 9/14/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
CHAPMAN, HOWARD

FORT WAYNE,IN 46804
RETIRED/RETIRED 12/16/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
DEPUTY, ROBERT J

ELKHART,IN 46514
RETIRED/RETIRED 2/1/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
EMERICK, SONYA

COLUMBIA CITY,IN 46725
MICROPULSE, INC./OWNER 10/19/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
EVANS, RICHARD

FORT WAYNE,IN 46808
EVANS TOYOTA/EXECUTIVE 9/10/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
EVANS, RICHARD

FORT WAYNE,IN 46808
EVANS TOYOTA/EXECUTIVE 3/31/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
FENECH, WILLIAM

ELKHART,IN 46516
DAMON MOTOR COACH/PRESIDENT 2/17/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
FERRELL, KELLY

FORT WAYNE,IN 46804
FW RADIOLOGY/PHYSICIAN 10/26/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
FORE, GREGG

MIDDLEBURY,IN 46540
PRESIDENT/DICOR CORP 2/5/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
FRITZ, CASSIDY C

ELKHART,IN 46515
CASSIDY C. FRITZ, P.C./ATTORNEY 2/5/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
GAEDDERT, DOUGLAS

ELKHART,IN 46517
FOREST RIVER INC/GENERAL MANAGER 2/17/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
GUNDEN, DONALD

GOSHEN,IN 46526
FOREST RIVER, INC./DIVISION G.M. 2/22/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
GUNDEN, DONALD

GOSHEN,IN 46526
FOREST RIVER, INC./DIVISION G.M. 6/1/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
GUNDEN, DONALD

GOSHEN,IN 46526
FOREST RIVER, INC./DIVISION G.M. 8/19/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
HAIST, DAVID

GRABILL,IN 46741
DO IT BEST CORP./EX. VICE PRES. 7/1/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
HAIST, DAVID

GRABILL,IN 46741
DO IT BEST CORP./EX. VICE PRES. 10/5/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
HAIST, DAVID

GRABILL,IN 46741
DO IT BEST CORP./EX. VICE PRES. 3/10/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
HALDEWANG, WILLIAM

SYRACUSE,IN 46567
INDIAN COATED FABRICS/OWNER 10/20/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
HALDEWANG, WILLIAM

SYRACUSE,IN 46567
INDIAN COATED FABRICS/OWNER 12/16/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
HAMMOND, JOHN

INDIANAPOLIS,IN 46202
ICE MILLER LLP/ATTORNEY 9/15/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
KONESCO, KENNETH

FISHERS,IN 46037
INDIANA BUSINESS COLLEGE/PRESIDENT 9/14/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
KUBACKI, MICHAEL

SYRACUSE,IN 46567
LAKE CITY BANK/PRESIDENT 1/13/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
LEETZ, BRUCE

VALPARAISO,IN 46383
NORTH COAST DISTRUBUTING/BEER DISTR 12/17/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
MANTRAVADI, R V

FORT WAYNE,IN 46814
RADIATION ONCOLOGY ASSOC. P.C./PHYS 12/10/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
MAZER, ROBERT

CHICAGO,IL 60611
SELF/WHITE SOX OWNER 10/19/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
MAZER, ROBERT

CHICAGO,IL 60611
SELF/WHITE SOX OWNER 9/10/09 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
MILLER, MATT

BREMEN,IN 46506
NEWMAR CORPORATION/PRESIDENT 2/8/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
MOSSEY, DONALD

ELKHART,IN 46514
SELF-EMPLOYED/BUSINESSMAN 2/1/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
MYERS, R NEAL

MIDDLEBURY,IN 46540
MAX MYERS MOTORS/PRESIDENT 3/23/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)
NIBLOCK, RICHARD

BRISTOL,IN 46507
NIBLOCK EXCAVATING/BUSINESS OWNER 2/17/10 $1,000 Souder, Mark E (R)


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