Rep. Mark Souder Resigns Over Affair With Female Aide

Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) resigned from Congress on Tuesday after revelations that he had an affair with a part-time staff member. Souder is married and has three grown children.

The eight-term congressman, who is a well-known Christian conservative, spoke at length in a statement issued Tuesday about the honor and privilege of serving in Congress, and repeatedly spoke of God and his family before finally saying, "I sinned."

"I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff. In the poisonous environment of Washington, D.C., any personal failing is seized upon, often twisted, for political gain," Souder said. "I am resigning rather than to put my family through that painful, drawn-out process."

He also spoke cryptically about the challenges of holding public office. "I do not have any sort of 'normal' life -- for family, for friends, for church, for community," he said. "To serve has been a blessing and a responsibility given from God. I wish I could have been a better example."

At a press conference Tuesday announcing his resignation, Souder added a comment not in his prepared statement. In a video posted by Talking Points Memo, the congressman said, "My family were more than willing to stand here with me -- we are a committed family. But the error is mine and I should bear the responsibility. And, quite frankly, I'm sick of politicians who drag their spouses up in front of the cameras, rather than confronting the problem that they have caused."

Souder has been married to his wife, Diane, since 1974. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Mediaite.com reports that Souder, a proponent of abstinence education, once taped an interview on the subject with the woman he had the affair with.

Souder represents Indiana's third congressional district. In resigning, effective Friday, he set off a scramble for his seat in Congress, which may be filled by a special election. He won the Republican nomination in the Indiana primary two weeks ago.

Souder was first elected to Congress in 1994. He focused on homeland security issues and also led the fight to give federal funding to faith-based organizations. He was named "a conservative true believer" by Congressional Quarterly magazine. He was also one of four House Republicans to vote against impeaching President Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky affair.