Sunday afternoon update, October 4: The star Tribune's Chao Xiong and Kim Hyatt report in State Sen. John Jasinski of Faribault says he takes 'complete responsibility' for drunken driving over the weekend:
. . . “I take complete responsibility for my actions. This case is pending and I am awaiting the legal process,” he stated. “However, I do want to say that I understand my actions affect my family, friends and constituents. I cannot overstate my gratitude for the public’s understanding, support and thoughts during this time.”
Kathy Brown-Dodds, chairwoman of the Rice County Republicans, said in a phone interview Sunday afternoon that she’s sorry Jasinski “made the wrong choice” and that his actions serve as a wake-up call for himself and others.
“I’m sure he’s going to pay the price for it financially and throughout his campaign and his family,” she said.
The 54-year-old legislator, who is the vice chairman of the Transportation Finance and Policy committee, was cited Saturday with driving while impaired with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit of 0.08, and fourth-degree driving while impaired. Both are misdemeanors.
An official with the Rice County Jail said Jasinski was released Saturday evening shortly after he was booked. Staff declined to release a mug shot of the senator. . . . [end update]
These items came across our twitter feed Saturday night:
From the story: "Jasinski was charged with fourth-degree DWI and DWI, having a blood alcohol level over .08 after two hours."
— Ricardo Lopez (@rljourno) October 4, 2020
The Faribault Daily News has a pretty high firewall, but KSTP 5 has also reported on the charges in State Sen. Jasinski arrested on suspicion of DWI:
Minnesota state Sen. John Jasinski, R-Faribault, has been arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired.
Court records show Jasinski was cited with fourth-degree DWI and DWI with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more Saturday in Rice County.
He was first elected in 2016 and serves as the vice chair for the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, which oversees agencies such as the Department of Public Safety.
Jasinski is also an Assistant Majority Leader according to his official webpage at the Minnesota Senate online. When he won the 2016 contest against former senator Vicki Jensen, Jasinski had served as mayor of Faribault from 2008 through 2016.
A search of Minnesota court case records reveals three minor driving and parking offenses on Jasinski's part.
On Friday in MinnPost, Walker Orenstein reported in How six state Senate races explain the Republican Party’s strength in Greater Minnesota:
. . . In Senate District 24, where Republican John Jasinski of Faribault beat incumbent DFL Sen. Vicki Jensen in 2016, political groups spent more than $745,000 on independent expenditures. The money largely paid for advertising.
This election cycle, the picture is very different. While election day is a month away, the state’s campaign finance website so far reports no independent expenditures in Jasinski’s race against Democrat Roger Steinkamp at all. . . .
Some districts, like the one Goggin and Jasinski represent, have a history of GOP success before 2016, Walsh said. Jasinski, who was mayor of Faribault, said he hasn’t seen any advertisements against him in SD 24, and is running on “getting small businesses back on track.” . . .
Steinkamp, Jasinski’s opponent in SD24, formerly ran a business selling products made of sheep milk and worked for NGOs to improve agriculture in several countries including Kenya, Macedonia and Rwanda. He said he’s running to boost access to affordable housing, paid family leave and child care and also wants a universal health care system. Steinkamp said he could win by turning out new voters, such as Somali and Latino residents that are “pretty much left out” of the area’s prosperity and being hurt by the pandemic. . . .
Will a drunk driving charge change things this late in the campaign season?
Photo: Senator Jasinski (left)gets an earful from former Douglas County Sheriff and current Republican senator Bill Ingebrigtsen. We hope he'll advise the Faribault senator to get the help he needs. Via Twitter.
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