Republicans are calling on a top Democrat state lawmaker to resign after she was arrested for drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Republican Party of New Mexico is calling for State Rep. Georgene Louis of Albuquerque to step down after she was stopped on the evening of February 13th during a “Super Bowl saturation patrol” traffic stop.
During the interaction, the officer said that he smelled alcohol.
“The officer did conduct standardized field sobriety tests and a breath test; they were administered, which supported the suspicion of impaired driving,” said Santa Fe Deputy Chief Ben Valdez.
Louis was arrested and charged with drunk driving, speeding, driving without insurance, and failing to show proof of registration. She is the third member of the New Mexico legislature to be arrested for drunk driving since 2018.
State Republicans are now calling for Louis’ resignation.
“Rep. Louis should do the right thing and resign from her House seat,” New Mexico GOP Chairman Steve Pearce said in a statement.
“She faces criminal charges, and this kind of behavior does not coincide with that of a responsible public servant,” he added. “Rep. Louis has violated the public trust, let down her constituents and endangered the lives of innocents. New Mexico deserves better.”
Later on Monday, Representative Louis released a statement through her attorney apologizing for the incident, but she did not resign.
“I am sorry and I deeply regret my lapse in judgment,” the statement read. “I know I let so many people down. I am accepting responsibility for my mistake. I am prioritizing my health, and I will work hard to regain the trust of my constituents, my community and my family.”
Rep. Georgene Louis has served in the New Mexico House of Representatives for nine years. She is the chair of the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee. That committee was forced to cancel its meeting scheduled for February 13th, likely due to Louis’ arrest.
