Florida Republican Who Wants to Drug Test Elected Officials Arrested for DUI

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A Florida Republican legislator who sponsored a bill that would require drug testing for all the state’s elected officials has been arrested for DUI.

When he proposed his drug testing bill state Rep. Dane Eagle said, “We need to be as elected officials held to a higher standard so when we serve our constituents. When we are away they understand that we are here working for them… We aren’t off doing other things. If drugs are illegal then we should be checked on that. It is just the basic idea for me and I believe other legislatures will be warm to that.”

Roughly 6 weeks later, Eagle was arrested for DUI, “Court documents show Tallahassee Police first spotted Eagle (R-Cape Coral) pulling out of a Taco Bell on West Tennessee Street. He then made a U-turn in his black SUV, and police said he nearly hit a curb outside Papa John’s before running a stoplight. After pulling him over, the officer reported a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. Eagle told the officer he thought the stoplight was yellow. Documents also show that Eagle told the police officer he did not drink alcohol that night, but he stumbled when exiting his vehicle. The odor, Eagle said, was because friends who were drinking at a bar earlier had ridden in his car.”

Eagle’s defense to the police apparently is that he got a contact drunk from a friend who had been drinking. The watery, bloodshot eyes, erratic driving, and stumbling were a bit of a giveaway for the police.

Eagle remains in total denial, “I was arrested in Tallahassee and accused of driving under the influence of alcohol. While there are some decisions that I would have made differently, I do not believe there is a complete and accurate picture of the events. Under advice of my legal counsel, I cannot discuss all the details right now, but I look forward to publically (sic) sharing the entire story at an appropriate time. Until then, I humbly ask for everyone’s patience. I know that I am accountable for my actions, and I look forward to communicating with my constituents in the near future on this matter.”

Rep. Eagle is another Republican hypocrite who lives by the motto of do as I say, not as I do. While alcohol is legal, it is also potentially deadly when consumption is combined with getting behind the wheel of a car. Another holier than thou, Republican, has bitten the dust.

Eagle’s refusal to take responsibility for his actions and apologize for them should bring down on the curtain on his political career.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association