A GOP state senator from South Carolina is speaking out after being ticketed for public intoxication.
State Sen. Tom Davis said he knew he had too much alcohol to drive and was sitting in his car for more than an hour in a parking lot when he was approached by a Lexington, Kentucky, police officer on New Year's Day.
SC Senator releases statement after public intoxication ticket https://t.co/0XhPQWKvvi via @WSAV
— WSAV News 3 (@WSAV) January 2, 2023
“I am ashamed and embarrassed by what happened last night and I want to say I’m sorry to my family and to my constituents. I’m not going to deflect or excuse this mistake,” he said.
“Instead, I am going to learn from it and move forward with a greater sense of responsibility. I look forward to the opportunity to prove to my family and my constituents that I have learned from this mistake," his statement added.
Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, was ticketed by the Lexington Police Department, he said in a statement released late Jan. 1. https://t.co/qaQAR2D2cx
— The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) January 2, 2023
"According to officials, moments after leaving a social gathering where alcohol was consumed, Senator Davis recognized he should not be driving," WSPA-TV reported.
"Senator Davis then pulled his vehicle into a nearby parking lot, disengaged it, and sat in it for over an hour. At this point, he was approached by a Lexington Police Department officer and was ticketed," it added.
South Carolina State Senator Tom Davis was ticketed for public intoxication on Sunday.https://t.co/aiDzObder9
— WCBD News 2 (@WCBD) January 2, 2023
Davis has previously been known for his recent work to support the use of medical marijuana in South Carolina.
“If you pound at the door long enough. If you make your case. If the public is asking for something, the state Senate owes a debate,” Davis told The Post and Courier in January 2022, who wants an up or down vote.
“The people of South Carolina deserve to know where their elected officials stand on this issue," he added.
The latest ticket has brought unwanted attention to the state senator, placing Davis in the spotlight in a negative way.
The situation could have been worse, but Davis thankfully pulled over and stopped, realizing the dangers involved with drinking and driving. He'll now have to face the problems related with his citation to start the new year.