The sponsor of an Ohio bill which restricts access to the ballot box was arrested back in April on drunk driving charges while he had a 26-year-old woman in his car and Viagra in his system, according to police reports.
On April 23, an Indiana state trooper pulled Rep. Robert Mecklenborg over for a burned out headlight on a 2004 Lexus he was driving. After failing three separate field sobriety tests, Mecklenborg allegedly refused to take a breath test and was placed under arrest. A blood test later revealed that he had recently taken a Viagra.
“Given that he likely is not in possession of his own drivers license (it should have been confiscated and suspended in accordance with Indiana DUI law and procedure), perhaps he will opt to arrest his drive to repress voting rights,” the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee’s Carolyn Fiddler wrote in a blog post.
Mecklenborg’s arrest was first reported by local news station WLWT. His arrest report has been posted online. It shows that Mecklenborg was accompanied by a 26-year-old woman, who a local blogger claims has “personal connections” with Concepts Show Girls strip club, which is right near where Mecklenborg was arrested.
“Being human, I’ve made a mistake,” Mecklenborg said in a statement. “It’s caused great hurt to my family and I’m deeply sorry. I have served tirelessly and well my constituents and want to apologize to them as well.”
Ohio’s early voting period was condensed in an elections bill that was sent to Gov. John Kasich over the strong objections of Democrats in the statehouse. Mecklenborg said this week that he expects the Senate to pick up the photo ID bill that was passed by the House when they return to session on July 13.
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