Souder, Massa seats to remain empty until November

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/28/art.massa.souder.gi.jpg caption ="The congressional seats vacated by Reps. Mark Souder (left) and Eric Massa (right) will remain empty until the November general election."](CNN) - Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels announced Friday that the special election to replace former GOP Rep. Mark Souder would be held November 2, the same day as the general election.

"The grounds for this decision are: the cost to taxpayers, the convenience of the voting public, and the involvement of the largest possible number of citizens in the selection of a new Congressman," said Daniels in a statement. "It seems to me that these interests outweigh any gains from having a member of Congress present for what would amount to no more than 20 voting days."

Earlier this month, New York Gov. David Paterson also set the November general election as the date for a special election to replace former Democratic Rep. Eric Massa.

Souder, a Republican, resigned from the House last month after admitting an extra-marital affair with a member of his staff. Massa, a Democrat, resigned in March amid sexual harassment allegations from members of his staff.

A third vacant House seat in Georgia's 9th congressional district will be filled in a special run-off election on June 8. Republican Nathan Deal resigned from that seat in March to concentrate on his gubernatorial campaign.

Daniels' decision increases the number of open House seats, races in which no incumbent will be running in the general election, to 39. Of those, Democrats will be defending 19 seats, while Republicans will be defending 20.