A Fort Wayne attorney who was an aide to former Sen. Dan Coats has started a campaign to challenge Congressman Mark Souder in next year's Republican primary.

Phil Troyer announced his candidacy Tuesday, saying Souder had strayed from fiscal conservatism by voting in favor of the $700 billion banking rescue plan proposed by the Bush administration last year.

The 45-year-old Troyer is general counsel of the financial advising firm NRP Financial. He unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in 1992 for the northeastern Indiana congressional seat Souder first won two years later.

Allen County Republican Chairman Steve Shine says Souder has been a superb representative and has adhered to the district's conservative values.