Minnesota Rep. Xiong apologizes for drinking and driving

A Minnesota state lawmaker is apologizing for driving under the influence.

Rep. Tou Xiong, DFL-Maplewood, said he was pulled over on Jan. 8.

"On the night of Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, I made a terrible mistake and want to issue an apology for my actions. After departing a community gathering, I was pulled over by law enforcement for driving under the influence," Xiong said in a statement. "My actions are inexcusable and I sincerely apologize. I have a lot of work to do in the coming days, weeks, and months to earn back the trust of my constituents and people I’ve let down, and that will be my focus going forward."

Xiong is in his second term after being first elected in 2018.

He’s currently the vice chairman of the Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee. He also sits on the Education Finance, Judiciary Finance and Civil Law, and Workforce and Business Development Finance and Policy committees.