Georgia state Rep. Tom Taylor found himself under arrest last week for driving under the influence. It was an incident that includes the additionally troubling detail that four children were in the vehicle at the time.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a member of the Clayton Police Department stopped Taylor for driving 72 mph in a 45 mph zone on April 7. The officer noted that the Republican state rep smelled strongly of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and was legally carrying a gun on his hip. Instructions for a field sobriety test were not complied with by Taylor and the 54-year-old was subsequently arrested and charged with DUI, possession of an open container of alcohol and speeding. Taylor claimed he had not been drinking, but blew a .225 in the breathalyzer. That’s a total well over Georgia’s legal limit of .08.
Taylor shared his regret regarding the incident in a statement provided to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He also stressed that it would be the only arrest of his lifetime.
“I profoundly regret this serious mistake. There’s no one to blame but me, and I greatly appreciate the professionalism of the officers involved. This was my first run-in with the law in my life, and it will also be my last.”
The arrest may be Taylor’s last, but questions emerge about how this incident might impact the job security of the state rep. He’ll be facing fellow Republican Tom Owens in an upcoming battle for his Dunwoody seat in the Georgia House of Representatives.