This booking photo released by the Story County Jail, shows Francis "Chip" Baltimore. State Rep. Chip Baltimore, a Republican from Boone whose legal first name is Francis, was arrested early Friday, Jan 19, 2018, in Ames, Iowa, on suspicion of drunken driving and possessing a firearm while under the influence, following a report his vehicle was weaving between lanes in the early morning hours.
This booking photo released by the Story County Jail, shows Francis "Chip" Baltimore. State Rep. Chip Baltimore, a Republican from Boone whose legal first name is Francis, was arrested early Friday, Jan 19, 2018, in Ames, Iowa, on suspicion of drunken driving and possessing a firearm while under the influence, following a report his vehicle was weaving between lanes in the early morning hours. Story County Jail via AP)
This booking photo released by the Story County Jail, shows Francis "Chip" Baltimore. State Rep. Chip Baltimore, a Republican from Boone whose legal first name is Francis, was arrested early Friday, Jan 19, 2018, in Ames, Iowa, on suspicion of drunken driving and possessing a firearm while under the influence, following a report his vehicle was weaving between lanes in the early morning hours. Story County Jail via AP)

National Politics

Iowa lawmaker takes responsibility for driving drunk

The Associated Press

January 22, 2018 08:00 AM

AMES, Iowa

An Iowa lawmaker says he's taking full responsibility for his decision to drive drunk.

State Rep. Francis "Chip" Baltimore, a Republican from Boone, was arrested Friday morning in Ames near Interstate 35. His blood alcohol tested out at nearly twice the legal limit, and a pistol was found under the driver's seat.

Baltimore told station WOI that he "made a very, very bad decision to get behind the wheel."

Baltimore, an attorney, is serving his fourth term as a state representative. He is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, a legislative body that has advanced legislation in recent years to add more penalties for individuals arrested for drunken driving.