Minnesota GOP Rep. Elliott Engen arrested on suspicion of DWI
State GOP Rep. Elliott Engen, who represents Lino Lakes, Minnesota, and is running for state auditor, was arrested early Friday morning for suspicion of driving while impaired.
White Bear Lake police say that officers pulled Engen, 27, over around 1:51 a.m. Friday for allegedly speeding and having a broken headlight and expired registration, then arrested him on suspicion of driving while impaired.
At the White Bear Lake Police Department, a breath test showed Engen had a blood alcohol concentration of .13, authorities said in a statement. The state's legal limit is .08. His attorney, Chris Madel, provided a document to WCCO showing Engen's BAC was .098 and later .092.
He was booked into the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center on a fourth-degree DWI charge and was later released, according to jail records and a news release from police. The case has been forwarded to the city's attorney.
"To my family, colleagues and constituents. I am deeply sorry. I strive to be a man of great character, and my actions fell short last night. I will learn from this. I will do better," Engen said in a statement.
Engen was first elected in 2022 and entered the race for state auditor in October. On Thursday afternoon, he appeared on the House floor where lawmakers discussed a slate of bills, including a ban on the possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines that Engen spoke about during the debate. They adjourned around 9:15 p.m. and police said he was pulled over a few hours later.
The incident happened after a former House staff photographer in a social media post said he captured a photo showing Engen drinking at Burger Moe's nearby in St. Paul before the floor session with his colleague, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson.
Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth said she was "extremely disappointed" to learn about Engen's arrest.
"I will be working to gather information about the circumstances of his arrest and charges and will address this directly with Rep. Engen and consider further consequences as the legal process unfolds," she said.
Engen is one of a few lawmakers across the political spectrum who have been arrested for drunk driving in recent years, including DFL Rep. Dan Wolgamott, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in 2023.
Wolgamott is also running to be the next state auditor. When asked if Engen's campaign for that office had changed, Madel said he had not discussed that with his client but hopes that Engen stays in the race, calling him a "great candidate."