DUI arrest of SoCal House Dem candidate hurts party’s chances for 2024 majority.

Democratic State Senator Arrested for DUI

You don’t have to be a tenured law professor or state lawmaker to understand the threat to public safety, and legal consequences, of a DUI arrest. But there’s absolutely no excuse if you hold those legal and lawmaker credentials.

Democratic state Senator David Min, a candidate for California’s open 47th Congressional District, was arrested for DUI in Sacramento on May 2. Min was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol when he drove through a red light with his headlights off. Officers conducted a DUI test and arrested him on suspicion of driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. He was booked into the Sacramento County jail and released on May 3.

Min, who has a background in law and policy, including a degree from Harvard Law School, apologized for his actions and vowed to do better. However, the incident has put his candidacy in jeopardy, with many calling on him to drop out of the race.

Political Fallout

The 47th Congressional District is a key pickup opportunity for Republicans in their quest to expand their current House majority. Min was seen as the leading Democratic candidate to run against Republican Scott Baugh, who lost to the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Katie Porter, in 2022. However, Min’s arrest has put his candidacy in doubt, with some Democrats calling on him to drop out of the race.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, has invited other candidates from his party to join the race, saying that Min’s actions were a “terrible lapse in judgment.” Former Rep. Harley Rouda, who held a differently configured pre-redistricting coastal Orange County House seat from 2019-21, is endorsing a different candidate, Joanna Weiss, an attorney and progressive activist.

Lessons Learned

Min’s DUI arrest serves as a reminder that even those with sterling academic credentials and success in politics can make poor decisions. DUIs can be politically tricky, as they are easy for voters to understand and can be seen as a threat to public safety. However, some lawmakers have been able to weather DUI scandals and continue their political careers.

Min’s arrest is likely to come up again during the campaign, particularly with court proceedings scheduled in the coming months. As a sitting officeholder with an elite legal background, Min cannot argue that he didn’t know better.