WATCH: Democratic lawmaker arrested for DUI after failing roadside sobriety test as wife slept in backseat
A Democratic lawmaker was caught on a police body camera after allegedly driving impaired, and authorities noted the Connecticut state representative's eyes were "red and glossy."
Rep. Aundré Bumgardner, a Democrat serving in the Connecticut House of Representatives, was arrested Sunday morning and charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving, according to a police report obtained by Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital reached out to Bumgardner's office for comment.
"Last night, I was cited for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence," Bumgardner said in a statement Monday. "I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply regret this mistake. I am grateful that no one was harmed and that no accident occurred."
Watch: Democrat State Senator Handcuffed After Refusing To Show Driver's License At Traffic Stop
Bumgardner, 30, initially told officers he had "struck something" in the road and was returning home from an "event" with constituents, according to the report.
Read On The Fox News App
Authorities noted one of his vehicle's front tires was flat and "barely staying on the rim," and Bumgardner's eyes were "red and glossy" with a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath as he spoke."
The report noted Bumgardner "appeared to be very nervous," "had a slight slur in his speech" and initially denied having anything to drink when questioned.
Body camera footage of the incident, obtained by Fox News Digital, shows Bumgardner repeatedly failing multiple roadside sobriety tests as a woman, later identified by authorities as his wife, was asleep in the backseat of the car.
Bumgardner can be seen in the footage stumbling as he is unable to follow the officer's instructions throughout the tests. The report states Bumgardner made four attempts to complete a standard "walk and turn" test and did not pass.
State Senator Pushed To The Ground, Arrested While Trying To Enter Georgia House Chamber
After multiple failed attempts at completing an exercise that required Bumgardner to stand on one foot, he can be heard telling the officer, "I'm sorry sir. I'm not much of a balancer."
Bumgardner was placed under arrest, handcuffed and transported to the Groton Police Department, where he contacted his attorney. Officers took Bumgardner's wife, who had slept through the encounter, home.
During the booking process, Bumgardner pointed at the officer's body camera, saying "it felt very invasive to him" and appeared to be evasive when asked to sign paperwork informing him of his rights, according to the report.
Bumgardner's license was revoked for 24 hours, and he was released after being ordered to appear in court next week.
State Lawmaker Has House Chamber Ban Revoked After Viral Scuffle Left Him Hospitalized
Bumgardner has been removed from his leadership positions and committee assignments "until further notice," State Rep. Matt Ritter, the speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, confirmed to Fox News Digital.
"I am disappointed and disheartened after hearing of Rep. Bumgardner's arrest for driving under the influence," Ritter said in a statement. "I have spoken with Aundré, and he understands that he must take full responsibility and work every day to win back the trust of his constituents and colleagues. Aundré is a dedicated and compassionate young man, and it is clear from talking to him that he is owning this very serious mistake."
Bumgardner was re-elected to the House in 2022 and serves as the assistant majority leader of the House Democratic caucus. He's also a member of the Finance, Environment, Energy and Transportation committees.
Click To Get The Fox News App
"I recognize the seriousness of this situation and am committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure it never happens again," Bumgardner said. "To my family, friends, colleagues, and the residents of the 41st District, whom I am honored to serve, I sincerely apologize for my actions and the disappointment I have caused."Original article source: WATCH: Democratic lawmaker arrested for DUI after failing roadside sobriety test as wife slept in backseat
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gavin Newsom finally finds a cause: taking on Trump
The Democratic governor of liberal California has welcomed Donald Trump to his state, cosied up to Conservative podcasters, and slashed healthcare provisions for illegal immigrants this year. But the reinvention of Gavin Newsom as the sort of Democrat who might be able to win back Republican voters came to a shuddering halt during a weekend of riots. With Mr Trump ordering troops onto his streets, Mr Newsom hit back, accusing the president of intentionally inflaming a difficult situation. It leaves Mr Newsom with no choice but to halt his drift Right-ward, said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic strategist. 'If not, he loses his entire constituency,' he said. 'In other words, there's a toleration level for moving to the centre, but not when it comes to massive chaos in Los Angeles.' Mr Newsom has put himself at the front of Democrat efforts to examine how they lost the 2024 election so badly. He launched a podcast in March in which he picks the brains of leading figures in Trump world. And Mr Newsom angered liberals with the very first episode, in which he interviewed Charlie Kirk, the controversial Conservative, when he said it was unfair that transgender athletes could compete in women's sport. He also said Democrats simply could not compete with the likes of Mr Trump and Elon Musk when it came to online reach. 'We're toast,' he said. Last month, facing a budget crunch, the telegenic governor back-pedalled on a promise of healthcare for all. He announced a freeze in enrolment for undocumented adults in the state's public health insurance programme. He has also urged cities to ban encampments for homeless people, cracking down on the tent cities that have blighted so much of California. And in January, he thanked Mr Trump for federal help in rebuilding after devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles. 'I've been always a hard-headed pragmatist,' he told reporters recently when quizzed about his shifting positions. 'I'm not an ideologue.' That all seems a long time ago after immigration raids around Los Angeles on Friday sparked three days of riots, and an order by Mr Trump to send in 2,000 National Guard troops. Tom Homan, the president's border tsar, threatened to arrest the California governor if he got in the way. 'Come and get me, tough guy,' was Mr Newsom's pithy response on X. After Mr Trump agreed the governor should be arrested, the governor shot back saying it was 'a line we cannot cross as a nation'. Credit: MSNBC He threatened to sue the federal government for its illegal act and called the president a 'stone cold liar' for failing to bring up his plan to send the National Guard when they spoke by telephone. 'There is currently no need for the National Guard to be deployed in Los Angeles and to do so in this unlawful manner and for such lengthy period is a serious breach of state sovereignty that seems intentionally designed to inflame the situation while simultaneously depriving the state from deploying these personnel and resources where they are truly required,' he wrote in a letter. That puts him at the centre of the news headlines, said James Carville, the veteran Democratic strategist and former adviser to Bill Clinton, even if it was too early to say that the party had finally found a national figurehead to oppose Mr Trump. But he said Mr Newsom's full-blooded reaction to Mr Trump and his tsar did not mark a reversal of his shift to the Right, but were compatible with his rejection of progressive totems such as identity politics. 'I don't think we should say we can render a verdict after 48 hours, but his actions have been totally what he would expect,' he said after Mr Trump had 'invaded' his state with troops. At the same time, he added, the crackdown on illegal immigrants remained a popular part of the platform that helped Republicans reclaim the White House last year. That leaves the governor and Democrats with a fine line to straddle: taking on Mr Trump over his decision to send in troops but without being painted as soft on illegal immigration or unrest in the streets. 'I think Trump sees all kinds of trouble on the horizon,' Mr Carville said. 'What he's very good at is just doing something to dominate the news.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
California to sue Trump, Hegseth over National Guard deployment amid anti-ICE riots
California will sue the Trump administration over its decision to activate National Guard soldiers in Los Angeles County over the weekend, the state's Democratic leaders announced on Monday. California Attorney General Rob Bonta claimed in a statement that President Donald Trump abused his authority by invoking a provision of Title 10 that allows the president to mobilize the National Guard if an invasion or rebellion is underway. "President Trump's order calling federalized National Guard troops into Los Angeles – over the objections of the governor and local law enforcement – is unnecessary and counterproductive," Bonta said. Trump Border Czar Responds To Newsom's 'Arrest Me' Challenge Bonta added that there was "no invasion" and "no rebellion" in California, a claim that comes as protests against immigration raids devolved into riots in parts of sprawling Los Angeles County over the weekend. "The president is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends," Bonta said. Read On The Fox News App Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said in statements Monday that Trump caused the bulk of the rioting because he unnecessarily deployed the military to protect ICE personnel and federal buildings. Local and state police had the situation under control when Trump spurred chaos by issuing his National Guard proclamation, Newsom said. The California attorney general's office said a copy of the complaint against the administration would be available soon. This is a breaking story. Check back for updates. Original article source: California to sue Trump, Hegseth over National Guard deployment amid anti-ICE riots

Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Democratic FTC commissioner Bedoya says he will step down
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -One of the two Democratic commissioners at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission who has challenged his firing by President Donald Trump said on Monday he was stepping down. Alvaro Bedoya said he would step down to comply with ethics rules but will remain a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging his dismissal. "I love this work. But I'm not getting paid for it," Bedoya said. "But my number one job is to take care of my family." The FTC is currently led by three Republicans.