A woman who worked with Indiana Rep. Mark Souder to prepare videos on the virtues of family values and abstinence has resigned after the Republican congressman acknowledged having an affair with her.
Two senior congressional aides with firsthand knowledge of the decision said that Tracy Jackson was a part-time employee on Souder's congressional staff, based in his northeast Indiana congressional district.
The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
According to the sources, Jackson resigned on Tuesday, soon after Souder announced he would resign his congressional seat and admitted having an extramarital affair.
A social conservative, Souder built his public persona on social issues and talked about the importance of family values.
from www.huffingtonpost.com - Mark Souder, a Republican congressman from Indiana, has announced that he will resign his seat over an affair with a female aide. Fox News identified Souder's mistress as Tracy Jackson, a "part-time aide who worked in his northern Indiana district office."
"Jackson is still on staff," Fox News reported. "She is described as being in her mid-40s and married. Jackson handled communications for Souder in the district and periodically travelled with him." Jackson's salary information is available here.
Last November, Souder's office posted a video of Jackon "interviewing" the Congressman about an abstinence-only education hearing. The caption of the video noted that Souder was "one of the only voices speaking in defense of abstinence education."
The Washington Post reported:
The affair began after Jackson was hired in a part-time role in 2004, according to a source knowledgeable about the relationship. Jackson, who is married, was hired to play guest host with Souder for a daily radio spot he recorded for WFCV, a Christian radio station in Ft. Wayne. The spots were taped once a week and aired daily. Jackson played host, asking Souder questions about what he was working on in Washington for his constituents.
After news of the affair broke on Tuesday morning, Souder released the following statement: "It is with great regret I announce that I am resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives as well as resigning as the Republican nominee for Congress in this fall's election. 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. I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff. I am so shamed to have hurt those I love."
also from Fox News:|After a Congressional scandal, the first thing to get a thorough scrubbing is the member’s website.
Rep. Souder, R-Ind., announced his intention to resign from the House of Representatives on Tuesday shortly after Fox News broke the story that he was having an affair with a part-time staffer in his northern Indiana district office. The staffer, Tracy Jackson, is still employed in his office, and she’s still very visible on his Congressional website.
Jackson was the host of an interview segment on Souder’s website entitled “Congressional Update with Congressman Mark Souder.” More than a dozen videos, with production dates beginning in 2007 and continuing through 2009 are still available for viewing. Most segments deal with local issues, such as a series dealing with a new Veterans Affairs hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A more controversial video, with the two discussing the benefits of abstinence, has been removed.
Though Souter’s wife Dianne is mentioned on his bio page, there are only two uncaptioned photos of her on his Congressional site.
