By WASHINGTON - Indiana congressman Mark Souder decided to resign his seat after anonymous tipsters began calling his aides and his opponents in a Republican primary, saying he was having an affair with a part-time staffer, according to sources familiar with the calls.. Last week, after he won the primary, Souder admitted the allegations to his chief of staff, Renee Howell, who confronted the conservative Christian congressman about the rumors that he was having an extramarital affair with Tracey Meadows Jackson, according to a source in his office. Six days later, yesterday morning, Souder publicly admitted the affair, without naming the longtime staffer, and said he would resign effective Friday.. The affair began after Jackson was hired in a part-time role in 2004, according to a knowledgeable source. 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 Fort Wayne.. "It is with great regret . . . that I am resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives . . . [and] as the Republican nominee for Congress in this fall's election," Souder said. "I sinned against God, my wife and my family . . . I am so shamed to have hurt those I love.". As of yesterday, Souder and his wife, Diane Zimmer Souder, apparently remain together. They have three grown child-ren and two grandchildren.
