A California Republican family values legislator who was arrested early Wednesday morning for drunk driving had recently left a gay club, sources tell a local news channel.
State senator Roy Ashburn was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol on Wednesday at 2am in Sacramento, after police saw the car he was driving swerving erratically. An unidentified male passenger was in the car with Ashburn.
The sources told CBS13 that Ashburn, a father of four, had that night been at Faces, which touts itself as “Sacramento’s premier GLBTI Nightclub since 1985.”
Ashburn was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, and driving with a blood alcohol level higher than .08 percent — both misdemeanors. He was released from jail on $1400 bond.
Ashburn, who has a history of opposing gay rights, issued a contrite apology for the drunk driving arrest yesterday. “I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment,” he said in a statement. “I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did.”
Ashburn’s Senate term ends this year. He represents parts of Kern and Tulare counties, in the central part of the state.
Late Update: The manager of Faces tells TPMmuckraker she it was Latin Night on Tuesday, and she didn’t see Ashburn in the club.
Late 3/5/10 Update: The openly gay mayor of West Sacramento says Ashburn is a regular at gay hotspots.
And in 2005, Ashburn held a rally against gay marriage to protect “the future of our children.”