New Mexico State Rep. Joe Thompson, arrested for drunken driving after attending an anti-DWI bill-signing ceremony, says he is retiring from public office.
Thompson, 37, an Albuquerque Republican, was arrested at 2 a.m. Wednesday. On Tuesday, he stood beside Gov. Bill Richardson at a signing of several anti-DWI laws.
Thompson sponsored a failed bill in this year’s legislation session to increase sentences for some DWI offenses. He also sponsored an unsuccessful measure to push for the installation of ignition interlock devices that don’t allow drunken drivers to operate their cars.
“It’s almost an unspoken rule that people in certain positions are automatically held to higher standards by the public we serve, whether we like it or not,” said Terry Huertaz, executive director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving New Mexico.
Link: http://www.abqtrib.com/archives/news04/030404_news_thompson.shtml