“Last night I was cited for a misdemeanor for driving under the influence,” Min wrote on Facebook Wednesday. “My decision to drive last night was irresponsible. I accept full responsibility and there is no excuse for my actions. To my family, constituents and supporters, I am so deeply sorry. I know I need to do better. I will not let this personal failure distract from our work in California and in Washington.”
Min’s campaign declined to answer additional questions on the record. The Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the California Highway Patrol arrested Min.
Min is running in the hotly contested 47th Congressional District currently represented by Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine), who is seeking to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Min will face former Republican state Assemblyman Scott Baugh, Democrat Joanna Weiss and Republican Max Ukropina, among others, for the purple district seat that the GOP is pouring its energy into flipping red in 2024.
The district includes Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. Porter narrowly defeated Baugh and won a third term in Congress with 51.7% of the vote last year, according to the California Secretary of State’s office. Porter endorsed Min immediately after he announced his bid.
Baugh declined to comment on the arrest.
Min was elected to the state Senate in 2020 after beating an incumbent Republican representing a traditionally red district. He’s focused his legislative attention on passing new gun control laws and fighting climate change. Min carried unsuccessful legislation to ban offshore oil drilling after the 2021 oil spill in Huntington Beach.
Min is a former UC Irvine law professor with an extensive background in banking and housing policy.
Min is not the first state legislator to be accused of driving drunk. In 2014, then-state Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
In 2012, then-Assemblyman Roger Hernandez (D-Covina) was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, but a jury later found him not guilty.
In 2010, then state Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
The California state Senate responded by creating a 24-hour driving service for members to call while they were in Sacramento and needed a ride. Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins’ office confirmed that the chamber still has a security service that drives senators during the day and evening to and from events in Sacramento, as needed.
“Like Senator Min, we’re disappointed in his actions, but pleased that he’s taken responsibility and apologized,” Atkins (D-San Diego) said in a statement.