A Georgia representative facing DUI charges told Channel 2 Action News in his first public interview that he plans to get help and run in the next election.
State Rep. Tom Taylor, a Dunwoody Republican, was clocked driving 72 mph in a 45 mph zone in Rabun County the afternoon of April 7. According to a city of Clayton police report, his blood-alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit and he had a pistol on his hip.
Exchange students were in the car with Taylor at the time of his arrest. They were at least 16 years old, meaning he won't face child endangerment charges.
“I want to come right out and say this is a terrible decision on my part. I’m not trying to dodge it. I own it,” Taylor said in an exclusive Channel 2 interview Wednesday.
He said he won’t fight the charges.
“This is a mistake I made, I admit it. I’m not going to hire an attorney and besmirch or try to pick apart a police officer’s procedure when he’s just doing his job,” Taylor said.
Police dashcam video showed an armed Taylor, 54, stepping out his vehicle at an officer’s request.
Taylor said the incident was his wake-up call that he has a problem.
“It’s a serious issue and I intend to get help for it,” Taylor told Channel 2. “I’m going through an evaluation stage right now over the past couple of days and whatever treatment, recommendations come out of that, I’m going to jump right on it.
“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people with this. I’m going to move on in a positive way. If one person, five, 10 people learn from this, that’s a good thing.”
The progressive group Better Georgia has a petition calling for Taylor’s resignation. After Taylor refused to comply with instructions for a field sobriety test, he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of an open container of alcohol and speeding.
But Taylor said he won’t step down because he “has a lot more work to do here.”
Taylor has a primary challenger in the next election.
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