Mark Souder Resigns Because of Affair With Staffer

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Updated 5:30 p.m. ET

Indiana Republican Rep. Mark Souder announced his resignation today after confirming an affair with a female aide.

In a statement, Souder said he "sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff." (watch the video at left)

"I am so ashamed to have hurt those I love," he said in a written statement that he later read aloud at his announcement in Fort Wayne, Indiana. "I am so sorry to have let so many friends down, people who have fought so hard for me."

During the remarks, he said he was "sorry to have let so many friends down."

Souder is a former staffer to former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) who was first elected to the House in the Republican revolution of 1994.

The congressman represents the 3rd district of Indiana, which covers northeastern part of the state. In 2008, he won reelection with 55 percent of the vote.

Souder did not identify the woman, but Fox News first identified her as Tracy Jackson, according to sources. She is described as part-time aide who worked in a district office, handling communications and periodically traveling with him.

A Souder staffer later confirmed to CBS News that Jackson is the woman Souder had an affair with.

Mark Souder Interviewed About Abstinence by Mistress

Sources also told Fox the charges would have landed him before the House Ethics Committee.

Souder, 59, and his wife, Diana, have been married for more than 35 years and have three adult children.

In an e-mail interview with the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Souder said he would clean out his office in Washington later this week. His resignation is effective on Friday.

"I feel just awful," he said in the e-mail. "It is a nightmare. Can't believe it is happening. But it is best for Diane and I, who love each other and have a firm foundation to build upon."

His wife did not appear at the announcement, a fact he referenced in his remarks, as the Journal Gazette points out.

"I'm sick of politicians who drag their spouses up in front of the cameras rather than confronting the problem they caused," he said, but he added that his family was "more than willing to stand here with me."

"But the error is mine, and I should bear the responsibility," he said.

Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind. is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this photo taken Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010.

/ AP

Souder won a contested Republican primary two weeks ago over car dealer Bob Thomas to seek a ninth term this fall. He faces Democrat Tom Hayhurst, a former Fort Wayne city councilman, in the general election. Souder defeated Hayhurst in 2008.

"As I leave public office, my plans are focused upon repairing my marriage, earning back the trust of my family and my community, and renewing my walk with my Lord," Souder said.

The congressman has touted himself as a family values conservative, saying the following on his congressional website: "I believe that Congress must fight to uphold the traditional values that undergird the strength of our nation. The family plays a fundamental role in our society."

According to the Almanac of American Politics, when Souder was a student at Indiana University (where he was student body president), he wore a button that said "I'm proud to be a square."

Politico reports that Minority Leader John Boehner told Souder he should resign after hearing of the affair.

An aide to Boehner tells CBS News that Souder's staff met with Boehner's sfaff on Sunday about the affair and that Boehner and Souder spoke over the telephone yesterday.

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

Souder's announcement comes two months after a sexual harassment scandal led to former Democratic N.Y. Rep. Eric Massa's resignation.

Last June, Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) revealed an affair with Cindy Hampton, the wife of a former top aide. He has continued to rebuff calls to resign since then, but he is facing both criminal and Senate Ethics committee investigations.

Photo Gallery: More Politicians Caught Having Affairs

[baileyccc]

What the news here, it's just another tainted republican getting caught. posted by baileyccc

[bankersvox]

The bottom line. Men have needs that have to be met. When the cards are on the table 99 % of the time, it is the wife's fault, wanting to turn her man into a
hairy girlfriend ! Why is anyone surprised, and why would anyone blame the man ??

[bankersvox]

I see a terrible double standard here. Why are we so upset at when men celebrate their sexuality ? Look at women, such as Larry King's WIFE ? You don't see her crying and making a run for REHAB like we made poor TIGER do ? Men have needs to be met, and all too often ( this is very true !) women just IGNORE their mate, other than getting money, so here is a guy who decided that he too had had enough. We can not judge him, and why should we.
No man evers cheats , if his wife is doing her duties ! It is much better to understand than to blame.

[jimatmadison]

And so one of the last heterosexual Republican politicians in Washington packs up his stuff and heads off into the sunset.

Of course, he's leaving behind 'wide stance' buddies Lindsey Graham, Mitch Mcconnell, Patrick McHenry, David Drier, Roy Ashburn, and many, many more.

Sadly, Mr. Wide Stance himself, Larry Craig is gone, as are Mark Foley, Denny Hastert, and so many others.

It's refreshing that the latest Family Values scumbunny not only is straight, but there weren't any Vetter-style hookers involved, and there is no John Ensign C Street inspired payoff by wealthy parents to the paramour and her husband.

This was just about plain old Family Values Cheating on the Wife.

Gotta love GOPers.

[wot90s]

Wonder when Boenner is going to get caught , or confess"""???

[esq777]

Yet another GOP hypocritical fraud down in flames. The only surprise here is that his affair was with a woman. "Family values" warriors seem to prefer men or boys.

[tryhonesty]

Shocker...Another RepubliCON LOSER!

[kansas1946]

LOL. Another "family values" hypocrite Republican bites the dust. Good riddance.

[Shocktribe]

Congratulations, you just won the predictable idiot of the day award.

[P0ST1ING_AWAY]

by Shocktribe May 19, 2010 6:53 PM EDT
I don't understand why he didn't simply switch parties. I'm sure the democrats would welcome him with open arms, and absolve him of his scumbaggery. Then, he'd be immune to the expectation of fidelity in any form. The media would stump for him, and anyone that pointed out his indiscretions would be ignored.
=============================================
What are you talking about ?????
This behavior is Standard Operating Procedure for
Republitards. We Democrats do not need to forgive him.
We do not care WHAT he does in his personal life.

[lw1960]

Let's get one thing straight - Mark Souder was student body president of Indiana University Purdue University FORT WAYNE AND NOT Indiana University Bloomington. There is a huge, huge difference between the two campuses.

The Bloomington campus is light years ahead of Fort Wayne in terms of diversity and tolerance. The idea that Mark Souder could have been elected student body president of IU Bloomington is laughable.