Patriots For Change

The GOP DUI List

Republicans love to campaign on “law and order.” These are the Republicans in Congress with drunk- or impaired-driving records.

Serving in Congress Right Now

Every entry links to court or news records. We found no Republican governor or other statewide officeholder with a DUI conviction. If you know of one we missed, send us the source.

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R‑Idaho)

Senator Mike Crapo
Ran a red light in Alexandria, Va., failed sobriety tests, and blew a 0.14 at the jail. Pleaded guilty to DUI. – Arrested Dec. 23, 2012 · Pleaded guilty Jan. 4, 2013

Sentence: $250 fine, one-year license suspension, 180-day jail sentence suspended, and an alcohol safety program. He is still in the U.S. Senate.

Sources:

Official portrait, public domain. Styled for this page.

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (R‑N.Y.)

Representative Mike Lawler
Drank in Manhattan, failed a Breathalyzer, and was arrested for drunk driving. He kept it quiet for 14 years. – Arrested 2012 · Disclosed July 2026

Charged with drunk driving (DWI) and pleaded down to driving while ability impaired (DWAI), a lesser traffic infraction under New York law. He revealed it in a TV interview while running for reelection, calling it “one of the worst decisions” of his life.

Sources:

Official portrait, public domain. Styled for this page.

Hall of Shame: Former GOP Leaders

President George W. Bush (R)

President George W. Bush
Arrested for drunk driving near his family's home in Kennebunkport, Maine. Pleaded guilty. Kept it secret until five days before the 2000 election. – Arrested 1976 · Revealed Nov. 2000

Paid a $150 fine, and his Maine driving privileges were suspended.

Sources:

Official portrait, public domain. Styled for this page.

Vice President Dick Cheney (R)

Vice President Dick Cheney
Two drunk-driving convictions in Wyoming, in 1962 and 1963, before a political career that took him to the vice presidency. – Convicted 1962 & 1963

He later acknowledged both convictions publicly. He went on to serve as White House chief of staff, a congressman, secretary of defense and vice president.

Sources:

Official portrait, public domain. Styled for this page.