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 from 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).