Newsmaker
US Congressman to resign after affair tip-off
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-19 09:36
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 US Republican congressman from Indiana Mark Souder (R-IN) (C) talks to the press after meeting the deposed king of Afghanistan Mohammad Zahir Shah at the king's residence in the outskirts of Rome in this file image from November 9, 2001. [Agencies] |
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 Republicans nationally come November.
Souder's staff contacted the staff of House Minority Leader John Boehner on Sunday to alert them to the situation. Boehner spoke on the phone with Souder on Monday.
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."
The announcement stunned many in political circles.
"Most people in this part of the state are as dumbfounded as they could be," said Bob Schmuhl, a political analyst and University of Notre Dame professor.
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels said he was surprised and disappointed by Souder's announcement.
"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.
Republican and Democratic precinct committeemen in the district will choose nominees for the special election, and GOP precinct officials would choose a candidate for the November ballot. The special election cannot be held until at least 60 days after the vacancy occurs.
Throughout his time in Congress, Souder made his evangelical Christianity a centerpiece of his public persona. He 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.