UPDATE: GOP candidates begin lining up

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Two Republicans have decided they want to be considered for the G.O.P. candidacy in the Third District Congressional Special Election; three others say they may be interested in the candidacy.

The third district seat will be vacated by Rep. Mark Souder on Friday after he resigned and admitted he had an affair with a staff member.

Allen Co. G.O.P. Chairman Steve Shine said Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Liz Brown and State Rep. Randy Borror have told him they do want to be considered for the Republican candidacty. However, both of those candidates still need to file the appropriate paperwork.

"The need for leadership form Congress in this region is incredibly important and it's important to have someone who can hit the ground running, who has experience, who has the connections and how can navigate through some tough waters," Borror said.

Borror added his experience in the statehouse with job and economic development on the Ways and Means committee makes him the best choice.

Shine said four others have told him they might be interested in the candidacy: Allen Co. Superior Court Judge Dan Heath, Fort Wayne attorney Phil Troyer , car dealership owner Bob Thomas and Indiana State Senate District 17 candidate Jim Banks .

Later Wednesday, Banks told NewsChannel 15 he will not put his name on the list to be condisered. Instead he said he hopes to win the November election and is looking forward to serving Indiana's 17th District in the State Senate.

Heath was the republican caucus nomination in 1989 to replace Dan Quayle, but he lost the election against Jill Long.

Thomas and Troyer both ran against Souder in the primary election two weeks ago. Thomas came in second and Troyer came in third.

"We put our heart and soul into that campaign and ran a good race. We would have been the candidate if this had come out two weeks ago, so yes, we are seriously considering [running for the party nomination]," Thomas told NewsChannel 15.

State Representative for the 83rd District Matt Bell was a consideration for many people, but chose not to put his name in hat.

"I was very flattered and touched. I received dozens of calls asking me to consider running for this," Bell said. "At this time I am not going to run for two reasons. I believe we have the right candidate for the 3rd District in Randy Borror. Also, Washington is not the right move for me right now. We have a six and seven-year-old at home."

State Senator Marlin Stutzman ran in the primary for the United States Senate, and lost to Dan coats. Stutzman said he will announce whether or not he'll put his name in the hat at a news conference tomorrow in Elkhart.

The major political parties will each select one candidate to be on the special election ballot by caucus.  Those decisions must be made within 30 days of the vacancy.

Shine said about a thousand precinct committeemen within the congressional district will decide who will run for the G.O.P. 

Anyone who wants to become a third district candidate in the special election must file a declaration of candidacy with state party chairs and the Secretary of State or Indiana Election Division.