Sexy Hot Photo Blogs

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)