The senior senator from Idaho was arrested in Alexandria, Va., early Sunday morning and charged with driving under the influence.
Police said Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), driving alone in the D.C. suburb, ran a red light, after which he was pulled over and failed field sobriety tests. He was arrested at about 12:45 a.m. and submitted to a blood alcohol test.
Alexandria cops said the senator’s blood alcohol was .110, above the commonwealth’s legal limit of .08.
Crapo was released at 5 a.m. after posting $1,000 bond. He’s due in court Jan. 4. It’s unclear why he was still in town as the Senate was cut loose Friday after a memorial service for Sen. Daniel Inouye, and lawmakers either headed home for the short holiday break before returning Dec. 27 to resume fiscal cliff negotiations, or went to Hawaii for Inouye’s funeral earlier today.
In his third Senate term, Crapo doesn’t face re-election until 2016.
“I am deeply sorry for the actions that resulted in this circumstance,” Crapo said in a statement Sunday night. “I made a mistake for which I apologize to my family, my Idaho constituents and any others who have put their trust in me. I accept total responsibility and will deal with whatever penalty comes my way in this matter. I will also undertake measures to ensure that this circumstance is never repeated.”
The Associated Press was noting that Crapo, a Mormon, has told the news wire in past interviews that he doesn’t drink.
Idaho had a previous problem with a GOP senator in 2007, when Larry Craig was arrested for lewd conduct in the men’s room at an airport. Craig resigned at the end of his term and was succeeded by Jim Risch (R) in 2008.
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