Democrats to pick nominee to finish Souder's term

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - Northeastern Indiana Democrats are meeting Thursday to nominate a candidate for the special election to complete the term of former Republican Rep. Mark Souder.

Democratic precinct committee members meeting in Fort Wayne are expected to select Tom Hayhurst, who is the party's nominee for the full term in Congress that starts in January. Both elections will be on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Hayhurst is being challenged for the special election nomination by perennial candidate Bobby Kern of Indianapolis.

Republicans have nominated state Sen. Marlin Stutzman to replace Souder (SOW'-der), who resigned last month after admitting to an extramarital affair with a female staffer.

Hayhurst is a physician and former Fort Wayne city councilman who lost a 2006 challenge to Souder.