They'll drink to that

Seacoast online is reporting that police have charged Republican State Senate candidate Kristi Bryant, of Kennebunkport, with operating under the influence and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. According to the article, all this took place shortly after midnight on August 22.

Bryant, a current Kennebunkport selectman, was recruited to run against incumbent State Senator Nancy Sullivan (D-Biddeford).  Although the chances of a Republican pickup in this district were slim to begin with, I’ll bet the Democrats are raising their glasses to this new development. 

It’s important to note that being charged with an OUI doesn’t disqualify you from running and/or serving in the Legislature.  In 2003, Democratic State Senator Bruce Bryant (D-Dixfield) was arrested for an OUI after throwing a few back during a break in the middle of a legislative session, and he had no problems getting reelected. 

The Bryants’ (Bruce and Kristi—no relation) aren’t the only politicians who have succumbed to the sauce before putting the key in the ignition.  A few years ago, former Democratic State Rep. Lillian LaFontaine O’Brien, of Lewiston, was convicted of an OUI, and in 2006, Jeff Kaelin, the Republican candidate for the State House of Representatives in Winterport was caught doing the same thing as well.  (At least Kaelin had the decency to get caught before the deadline to find a replacement candidate had passed—I’m sure Mike Thibodeau, his replacement, was thankful.)

And Maine’s most famous boozer, George W. Bush also received his OUI in Kennebunkport.  So I guess Kristi Bryant is in good company.

I need to take a moment to thank all of our politicians for their silly and illegal tendencies.  Without behavior like this, my job would be way too boring.  Cheers!