A Tennessee state senator, who also serves as the chair of the Senate Republican Caucus, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after allegedly committing a hit-and-run. The incident involved a campaign-funded vehicle with legislative license plates. Authorities reported that the senator was caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.14, nearly double the legal limit of 0.08.
The incident occurred in Glynn County, Georgia, on a Tuesday evening when the senator was reportedly vacationing. Law enforcement officials were alerted after a Ford Edge with Tennessee license plates, prominently marked with the word “KEY,” left the scene of a hit-and-run. The vehicle had allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign. Georgia State Troopers tracked down the senator at a grocery store parking lot, where emergency medical services were already attending to him following a fall.
Officers at the scene reported detecting the smell of alcohol on the senator’s breath. When questioned, he admitted to consuming “a couple glasses of wine earlier in the day.” After agreeing to a Breathalyzer test and field sobriety tests, both of which he allegedly failed, the senator was taken into custody. He declined to take a blood test, and when asked why he left the scene of the crash, he stated he believed “everyone was fine” and claimed to have spoken with the other driver.
The vehicle the senator was driving, a Ford Edge, is leased and maintained using funds from his campaign account. Records show that over $22,000 has been spent on the vehicle since its acquisition in 2022. This includes costs for leasing, insurance, maintenance, and registration fees. The senator’s legislative license plates, featuring the official state seal, were visible in video footage captured during the field sobriety test. The footage also depicted him struggling to stand during the assessment.
In a statement issued after the arrest, the senator described the situation as an “unfortunate incident” and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities while declining to discuss details on the advice of his attorney. He has since been released on bond.
The senator has had a longstanding political career, having first been elected to the Tennessee Senate in 2006. Representing multiple counties, he has served as the chair of the Senate Republican Caucus since 2018. He recently secured reelection to his District 12 Senate seat in a landslide victory over an independent challenger.
According to ethics rules governing the Tennessee Senate, should the senator be indicted, he would be required to either step down as caucus chair or request a hearing with the Ethics Committee to appeal for his position.
In the wake of the arrest, several officials expressed their sentiments. A prominent colleague conveyed thoughts and prayers for the senator and his family while acknowledging the severity of the situation.
The senator’s arrest and the associated circumstances have sparked broader conversations regarding the use of campaign funds for personal expenses, the responsibilities of public officials, and the ethical implications of such incidents. The situation highlights the scrutiny public figures face, especially when actions conflict with the values they are expected to uphold. As the investigation progresses, further developments are likely to shape the political and legal outcomes for the senator.
