Souder Retained As U.S. Rep.

Voters re-elected Republican Mark Souder to serve as U.S. Congressman for the third district seat in what Souder described as a close race in Tuesday's general election.

Souder defeated Democratic candidate Tom Hayhurst by 8 percent for the third district Congressional seat.

Souder received 94,929 votes, while Hayhurst received 79,683 votes or 46 percent of the votes.

Souder, 56, of Fort Wayne, first served four terms representing Indiana's Fourth Congressional District. Since 2002, he has represented Indiana's Third Congressional District.

"This year's race was a hard and close race because it is a Democratic year, but I'm humbled at the tremendous privilege to serve citizens and appreciate the trust they had to vote for me," Souder said.

Souder said the vote shows citizens support the conservative values he stands for.

Souder defeated Hayhurst in eight counties including Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben and Whitley.

In Kosciusko County, Souder received 11,882 of the 18,551 votes, or 64.05 percent of the county votes.

Hayhurst received 6,656 votes or 35.88 percent of the votes in Kosciusko County. There were 13 write-in votes for the District 3 race.

Souder said he will celebrate his win with a victory luncheon in Allen County today.

Souder expressed his concern with the Republicans losing control of the Indiana House of Representatives.

Republicans lost four seats in the contested statehouse race. Democrats will take control of the House for the first time since the 1994 election.

"I wish we were not losing control in Congress because there will clearly be changes in Washington," Souder said.

There were 49,554 registered voters in Kosciusko County and 19,355 of those voters, or 39.06 percent, turned out to vote.

Republican Richard Lugar will serve as U.S. Senator. Lugar received 15,227 of the 17,242 votes in Kosciusko County. Lugar defeated Libertarian Steve Osborn, who received 1,983 votes. There were 32 write-in votes.

Lugar received 1,142,350 votes in Indiana, or 87 percent of the votes, defeating Osborn who received 167,572 votes, or 13 percent of the votes.

Republican Todd Rokita will serve as Secretary of State. Rokita received 12,646 of the 18,751 votes in Kosciusko County.

Rokita defeated Democrat Joe Pearson, who received 5,336 votes, and Libertarian Mike Kole, who received 764 of the votes in Kosciusko County. There were five write-in votes.

Statewide, Rokita received 815,174 votes, or 51 percent of the votes, where Pearson received 726,574 votes and Kole received 53,061 votes, according to wishtv.com

Republican Tim Berry will serve as State Auditor. Berry received 12,905 of the 18,664 votes in Kosciusko County, defeating Democrat Judy Anderson who received 5,759 votes. According to wishtv.com, Berry received 807,873 or 51 percent votes, defeating Judy Anderson who received 765,801 votes or 49 percent of the votes.

Republican Richard Mourdock will serve as State Treasurer and received 12,699 of the 18,158 votes in Kosciusko County. Mourdock defeated Democrat Michael Griffin, who received 5,495 votes.

Republican Gary Dillon will serve as State Senator for District 17. Dillon ran unopposed and received 978 votes in Kosciusko County. Dillon represents parts of Kosciusko, Wabash, Huntington and Whitley Counties.

Republican David Wolkins will serve as State Representative for District 18. Wolkins ran unopposed and received 7,381 votes in Kosciusko County. Wolkins represents parts of Kosciusko, Elkhart and LaGrange counties.

Republican Bill Ruppel will serve as state representative for District 22. Ruppel received 4,034 votes of the 6,573 votes in Kosciusko County, defeating Democrat Larry Rensberger who received 2,539 votes. Ruppel represents parts of Kosciusko and Wabash counties.

Ruppel received 8,262 votes or 58 percent of the votes in District 22. Rensberger received 6,000 votes, or 42 percent of the votes.

Ruppel expressed his disappointment with Republicans losing control of the House of Representatives.

"Those who cast their votes showed they did not like what was going on nationally so leaders who used to be in were taken out," Ruppel said.

Ruppel thanked voters who supported him in voting for him.

Republican William Friend will serve as State Representative for District 23. Friend received 2,393 of the 3,357 votes in Kosciusko County, defeating Democrat candidate Chris Rahe who received 964 votes.