Indiana Republican Rep. Mark Souder is resigning from Congress after telling colleagues he had an affair with a female aide. Souder: 'I am so shamed'

Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) is resigning from Congress after telling colleagues he had an affair with a female aide.

"I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff," Souder said in a statement Tuesday. "I am so shamed to have hurt those I love."


Souder said his resignation – which will take effect Friday — is "the best decision for my family, the people of northeast Indiana and our country."

"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 put my family through that painful, drawn-out process."

“Diane and 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.”

Sounder and his wife have three adult children.

Souder’s staff informed Minority Leader John Boehner’s staff of the affair on Sunday. Boehner and Souder spoke on Monday, and Boehner told the Indiana Republican he should resign, according to GOP sources.

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

The news about Souder comes just two months after former Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) stepped down after revelations that he was under investigation by the House ethics committee over allegations that he sexually harassed male staffers.

And Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) faces criminal and Senate Ethics Committee investigations over his affair with Cindy Hampton, wife of a former top Ensign aide. Ensign announced the affair last June but has refused calls to leave office.

Souder was an aide to former Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) before being elected to Congress. Coats is running this year to return to the Senate.

A hard-line conservative, Souder recently survived a tough GOP primary in the Hoosier State, edging two opponents who held him under 50 percent. Souder’s Republican rivals criticized Souder over his support for the Troubled Asset Relief Program and Cash for Clunkers programs. Souder was forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds to beat back the challenge

The Democratic challenger for Souder's seat is expected to be Dr. Tom Hayhurst, a former Fort Wayne councilman whom Souder beat back in 2006.