Posted on 03/05/2004 5:57:45 AM PST by Theodore R.
Richardson looks past lawmaker's DWI charge Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Gov. Bill Richardson said Thursday a lawmaker arrested on a charge of drunken driving is a "DWI champion" strongly committed to tougher laws, and should be given another chance.
House Minority Whip Joe Thompson of Albuquerque was charged with drunken driving early Wednesday, less than 24 hours after he attended a ceremony at which Richardson signed into law stronger DWI penalties.
The Democratic governor said he holds the Republican lawmaker in "extremely high regard," and that without him, DWI and drug bills would not have passed during the recent legislative session.
"While Joe has made a mistake, I think that his record is clear. He is a DWI champion. ... My hope is that his constituents and his family recognize that this is a special person who deserves a second chance," Richardson said.
"I'm standing behind him because I know he is strongly committed to making DWI laws stronger," the governor said in an interview after a news conference in Santa Fe.
But a member of Thompson's own party called for him to step down. Rep. Ron Godbey, R-Cedar Crest, said Thompson's arrest after attending the DWI bills signing "reflects pathetically upon all members of the elected body.
"We believe it is in the best interests of the New Mexico Legislature in general and the Republican caucus in particular that Representative Thompson resign from his legislative seat," Godbey said in a statement faxed to news media.
Thompson, in a statement issued by his office Wednesday, apologized to his family, friends, colleagues and the citizens of New Mexico.
He said in the statement he took "full responsibility for my actions."
"I will follow the advice of my family and physician to obtain whatever treatment is necessary," he said.
Thompson also said he will discontinue his recently announced campaign for a seat on the state Public Regulation Commission.
Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose, said the arrest need not end Thompson's political career. Griego was arrested in 2000 on charges of drunken driving, sought treatment and continues to be an active member of the Legislature.
Terry Huertaz, executive director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving New Mexico, said public figures "are automatically held to higher standards by the public we serve, whether we like it or not."
Thompson did not return calls placed Wednesday and Thursday by The Associated Press. His legislative political director, Patrick Killen, said Thursday that Thompson would have no immediate statement beyond the written one released Wednesday.
He was arrested in Albuquerque early Wednesday after failing two breath-alcohol tests in which his blood-alcohol registered 0.12 and 0.11, above the legal limit of 0.08.
Thompson asked for a blood-alcohol test for an independent analysis.
He told a police officer he had a little alcohol at dinner but "did not think the alcohol he drank counted due to it being consumed several hours prior to the stop," the police report said.
He was charged Wednesday with two misdemeanors: first-time driving while intoxicated and careless driving. He was released on his own recognizance and is slated for arraignment April 8, according to court records.
Thompson, a lawyer first elected to the House in 1998, announced recently he would not seek re-election to his House seat but would run for a seat being vacated on the PRC, which regulates utilities.
He had been collecting the signatures required to get on the ballot, and former Gov. Gary Johnson was his campaign chairman. Thompson had been legislative liaison for Johnson.
Well the Republicans should be denouncing him loud and strong!
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