(CNN) – Former New York Rep. John Sweeney was arrested early Sunday morning on his second DWI incident in 17 months after refusing to take field sobriety tests, the Saratoga County District Attorney's office confirms to CNN.
"We will treat this prosecution like any other felony DWI case," District Attorney James Murphy said in a statement provided to CNN. "We are fortunate that his alleged conduct did not result in death or serious physical injury to himself or any one else."
In 2007, Sweeney pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DWI charge, Murphy also said in the statement.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand defeated Sweeney in 2006 when he sought re-election to represent New York's 20th Congressional District. Gillibrand was recently named by New York Gov. David Paterson to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate. The race to replace Gillibrand resulted in a virtual tie and is not likely to be determined until absentee ballots are counted and a possible recount takes place.
From CNN Politics
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If he had a misdemeanor DWI charge, I wonder how come this one is a felony. In most states, once you get your 3rd DUI, then it becomes a felony.
Exactly why he is a former Congressman.
Two DWI's in 17 mos? There is certainly underlying alcoholism here. He needs help.......
Good ... another seat that will for a Democrat to take and another step toward a more peaceful, sustainable future.
This recount is getting pretty ugly in all around. What is going on in this country with elections?
So a former congressman that got a DWI is a story because he was in the same district in 2006 as someone that got appointed to the senate and now has a special election to finish?
I'm struggling to see the relevance or even why you feel it's necessary to tell us this.
Nice Republican family values there, eh Congressman Frat Boy?
He needs to be in rehab ... not the government.
who cares?
My mother worked for him for years and he's a nice guy. But it seems that the last 5 or so years absolutely nothing has gone right for the man. Granted drinking won't solve anything, in his case it seems to make things worse.
I agree with Brian from Seattle. Well said Brian.
why should he get help for his alcohal must americans love beer and nobody perfect dems or republicans except them libs
He will probably have to do it a third time for action
Being a senator or a rep is a sweet deal. Some people just can't handle losing.
@ Tom C – NY,
When it comes to drinking – Sweeney is a dingy compared to your boy Ted Kennedy – who is the TITANIC.
Somebody get this fool off the road for good
What, a Republican in trouble? Horrors. Must be a Democratic trap in there somewhere. It couldn't possibly be a Republican who broke a law...twice. I mean, Sarah says even her buddy Stevens is now totally innocent, as is she. And if a Republican says it often enough, God listens, and it must be believed.
He has a personal problem and this is a waste of time reading this.
He needs help , does not need us to comment on his problem.
Hope he get help!
I don't think this is real news. However I pray that he gets help before his drinking and driving kills someone.
It seems this poor chap has taken a terrible stumble. I pray that he gets help.
John Sweeney's true colors have shone themselves in the past 3 years. He is finding out that he cannot get away with things that he so easily got away with when he was a Congressman. It scared me for years that a person of his poor character rose so quickly in the political world. The party has long ended John – time to grow up and get yourself to rehab!
"He has a personal problem...." Really? And when it's your family that he kills on the highway, how personal will you believe it is. How many people will he kill before it's public enough? Frankly, I believe a DWI or DUI should result in impounding the vehicle being driven, regardless of who's vehicle it is. Small price to pay for the level of threat this poses to us and our loved ones.
"It seems this poor chap has taken a terrible stumble. I pray that he gets help."
Yes, and I pray that he gets help or incarcerated before he kills someone.
When are the Rep's going to dump this drunk? He needs help in the worst way.