A FR reader brought to our attention that a local network news station in Sacramento, Channel 13 (the CBS affiliate), is running a video story here and a print story (below) that makes some… startling… observations about some circumstances surrounding Senator Ashburn’s arrest for Driving Under the Influence last evening… We’ll contact the Senator’s office to see if they have any comment on this CBS story…
Anti-Gay Lawmaker At Gay Club Before DUI Arrest
CBS – 13 – Sacramento
Sources tell CBS13 a state senator from Southern California was arrested for allegedly driving drunk after leaving Faces, a gay nightclub in midtown Sacramento, early Wednesday morning.
The California Highway Patrol pulled over Senator Roy Ashburn at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday after an officer noticed a black Chevy Tahoe swerving at 13th and L Streets.
Ashburn, a father of four, is a Republican Senator representing parts of Kern, Tulare and San Bernardino Counties with a history of opposing gay rights
When the officer stopped the state-issued vehicle, the driver identified himself as Senator Ashburn. He was arrested without incident and charged with two misdemeanors: driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol level higher than .08% or higher.
A male passenger, who was not identified as a lawmaker, was also in the car but was not detained.
Ashburn was booked into the Sacramento County Jail and released on $1,400 bond.
Ashburn issued a statement on the arrest Wednesday afternoon:
"I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment. I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did. I am also truly sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me – my family, my constituents, my friends, and my colleagues in the Senate."
Ashburn served six years as a state Assemblyman before being elected to the State Senate. According to Project Vote Smart, Ashburn’s voting record shows he has voted against every gay rights measure in the State Senate since taking office including Recognizing Out-Of-State Same-Sex Marriages", Harvey Milk Day and Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:00 am
This is a sad story regarding a man who is going to have a lot to answer for, to his constituents and, most importantly, to his family. However, I cannot help but notice the pathetic “objective” news reporting. What in the heck does Ashburn’s voting record on so-called gay rights measures have to do with this story? This is an entirely political point that should be made, if at all, by gay rights advocates, not by the “objective” reporter. Pathetic.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Other than the “sources” noted in the first sentence, where is there anything in the entire story about the nightclub?
March 5th, 2010 at 12:00 am
The Bakersfield Californian has more on the subject today:
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x379809049/LOIS-HENRY-Ashburn-dodges-gay-question