Indiana Democrat Tom Hayhurst will challenge Republican Rep. Mark Souder in the 2010 election, in what would be a rematch of their competitive 2006 matchup in the Fort Wayne-based 3rd District.
Hayhurst, a former Fort Wayne city councilman, this week filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission to initiate a 2010 campaign in Indiana's 3rd, which Souder has represented since 1995.
"I've been thinking about it a lot and talking it over with my family and other folks who supported me along the way and decided -- especially considering what's going on in this congressional district now and also in our entire country -- that it was my duty, my job, my obligation to file and run," Hayhurst told CQ Politics Friday afternoon.
Hayhurst said that "the economy here is a huge problem," adding that the unemployment rates in some areas of northeastern Indiana are "approaching" Depression-era levels.
"I think there needs to be more focus with regard to that particular challenge," Hayhurst said.
Hayhurst, a medical doctor who's worked in free health clinics, also said that "the health care situation is very bad."
Hayhurst in 2006 lost to Souder by a margin of 54 percent to 46 percent, the congressman's closest race in his eight House campaigns. Democrats targeted Souder for defeat in the 2008 election, but he beat Democratic lawyer Michael Montagano by 15 percentage points.
Indiana's 3rd has a decided Republican lean, backing John McCain over Barack Obama by a margin of 56 percent to 43 percent even though Obama narrowly carried Indiana.
CQ Politics initially rated the Indiana 3 race as Safe Republican, though that rating will be reconsidered now that Hayhurst is a confirmed candidate.
To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map
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