A spokeswoman for Sen.-elect Joni Ernst’s (R-IA) campaign resigned just days before the election over a drunk driving arrest, the Des Moines Register reported Thursday.
West Des Moines police arrested Ernst aide Gretchen Hamel after they found her passed out at the wheel at about 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 29. Hamel had crossed lanes and driven her car over a curb, according to a police report obtained by the newspaper.
Ernst’s campaign manager told the Register that Hamel resigned the next morning.
“This is a personnel matter which we will not discuss in the press. We wish Gretchen nothing but the best and appreciate her efforts,” Jon Kohan said in a statement.
Hamel also committed another bizarre driving offense the night of Oct. 13, according to the newspaper.
A separate police report obtained by the Register stated that Hamel told police a man named “Robert” had been driving her car and fled the scene after striking a sign post at an intersection in Urbandale, Iowa.
She later admitted to police that she lied and had been driving the vehicle herself, according to the report.
“…just days before the election…”
Hidden dirty laundry from the candidate whose campaign strategy was to hide the truth.
It sounds like this person has a problem, but not working for Joni Ernst any more is a sound first step on the road to recovery.
Sure would have been nice if Luke Russet had done some real investigative reporting instead of kissing Republican ass.
While I agree that Luke Russert completely sucks, I’m not sure what some aide getting arrested for drunk driving has to do with anything. Is there really the idea out there that this “news” would’ve made any kind of difference? Quite confusing to me.
Poor Gretchen. Maybe she could rehab at the Palins. I hope there’s a reporter working this.