Rep. Brad BennettDOVER, Del. (AP/WBOC)- A Democratic lawmaker who was charged with a second drunken driving offense earlier this year says he will not seek re-election.
In an emotional speech on the House floor Tuesday, Rep. Brad Bennett of Dover asked his colleagues for forgiveness and said he is committed to ongoing treatment for alcoholism.
Lawmakers from both parties hugged Bennett after his speech and wished him well.
Democratic House leaders said Bennett's decision to retire from the legislature was the right move for himself, his family and the House.
The 46-year-old Bennett was sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty in Sussex County last year to DUI. He faced a second DUI charge after being arrested by Wilmington police in April after allegedly sideswiping a parked police cruiser on the 2900 block of North Market Street. According to police, Bennett drove away in his SUV before being stopped at the unit block of West 27th Street.
