Mark Souder - Election History

Election History

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2008#District 3

In his initial campaign for Congress in 1994, Souder pledged his support for term-limit legislation. He served four terms (1995–2003) representing Indiana's 4th congressional district. In 2002, after redistricting based on the 2000 census, Souder was elected to represent Indiana's 3rd congressional district. He won re-election there in 2004 and, in 2006, was elected to his seventh term in the House.

In the 2006 general election, Souder's Democratic opponent was Fort Wayne City Councilman and military veteran Tom Hayhurst, an MD who contributed $200,000 to his own campaign. Souder won 54% to 46%, carrying all eight counties in his congressional district. The 2006 election was significantly different than 2004, when the 3rd district voted 68%-32% for George W. Bush over John Kerry, and re-elected Souder 69%-31% (when Souder faced Maria Parra, a Democrat who made national headlines when she walked off the stage during a televised debate).

In 2008, Souder was re-elected to an eighth term in the U.S. House. Souder defeated Democrat Mike Montagano and Libertarian William Larson.

General election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mark Souder (incumbent)	155,693	55%
	Democratic	Mike Montagano	112,309	40%
	Libertarian	William Larsen	14,877	5%
Turnout			282,879	61%
	Republican hold		Swing