State Rep. Joe Thompson landed a serious blow to his political career Tuesday night when he was picked up for DWI near downtown ABQ. He has withdrawn from the race for the Republican nomination for the ABQ seat on the powerful Public Regulation Commission (PRC), and in a statement released to me by his spokesman, Patrick Killen, Thompson says he apologizes to "his wife, family, friends and colleagues." Thompson is the State House Minority Whip who only this week received a major endorsement for his PRC bid from former Governor Gary Johnson. This depsite the fact that Thompson has two GOP opponents, most notably former ABQ City Councilor Hess Yntema.

Friends of Thompson's tell me he was with fellow GOP State Rep. Eric Youngberg of Sandoval county before the two parted ways and headed out of Downtown in separate vehicles. Thompson registered a blood alcohol level of .12, with .08 being legally drunk. At first he denied having been drinking. Thompson announced earlier this year he would leave the state house after two terms to seek the PRC job.Now, according to his statement, he will seek "whatever treatment is necessary."

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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