Mark Souder Resigns: Tracy Jackson Affair

Indiana congressman Mark Souder’s resignation, announced Tuesday, came after anonymous tipsters called his aides and his opponents in a Republican primary to say he was having an extramarital affair with a part-time staffer, according to sources familiar with the calls.

The woman with whom Indiana Republican Rep. Mark Souder had the affair that prompted his resignation today, according to Fox News, is part-time staffer Tracy Jackson.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Mitch Daniels said Tuesday he hasn’t decided when the election will be held, although it must be at least 60 days after Souder’s resignation from Congress becomes official.
The eight-term congressman says he’ll resign his 3rd District seat representing northeastern Indiana effective Friday.

Souder won a bruising primary just two weeks ago, and the resignation effective Friday could hurt the GOP’s chances of holding onto the Republican-leaning district in November in a year that many expect will favor the party.

Souder, an evangelical Christian who has championed family values and traditional marriage, apologized for his actions but provided no details during an emotional news conference at his Fort Wayne office.

“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.”