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It “reaffirms my commitment to fighting for progressive change,” Min said.
California Democratic State Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine) recently accepted an endorsement from far-left progressive Democratic congresswomen notoriously dubbed as “The Squad,” in his bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Min, who is currently campaigning for the 47th congressional district in Orange County to replace outgoing Rep. Katie Porter, has struggled to run a strong primary performance after his drunk driving arrest last spring sent his campaign into damage control.
But now Min’s campaign could see the final nail in its coffin after he aligned himself with extreme figures Congressional Progressive Caucus, which includes Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI, Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Cori Bush (D-MO).
Min said he is “deeply honored” by their support, adding the seal of approval “reaffirms my commitment to fighting for progressive change.”
Min advanced to the general election in early March after his opponent, Democrat political activist and first-time candidate Joanna Weiss, conceded. Min defeated Weiss by only 6 points, signaling a narrow victory following his run-in with the law.
He now faces former Republican Assemblyman Scott Baugh in November for California’s 47th district. Baugh received approximately 12,000 more votes than Min in the swing district’s primary race.
However, despite clinching his party’s nomination and receiving over 70% of the vote in the district’s election of Democratic party activists and club representatives, reports indicate some national Democrats have questioned his electability and fear his DUI record would hurt his chances among likely voters.
Police arrested and cited Min in Sacramento on May 3 last year with a misdemeanor for driving under the influence, according to law enforcement and jail records reported by The Associated Press.
Authorities arrested Min around 10:50 p.m. near the Capitol after he was pulled over for driving without headlights and then running a red light. The senator from Orange County reportedly had been drinking at a few bars with fellow Assembly members, lobbyists, and realtors.
A California Highway Patrol officer noted in the report Min showed “signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication.”
The Sacramento Bee reported Min had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit when he was arrested.
Authorities later booked Min in the Sacramento County jail, and was released the next day. Min was later sentenced to three years probation, ordered to pay over $2,000 in fines, and told to complete a 30-hour state-licensed alcohol and drug education program.
In a social media post following his arrest, Min said his decision to drive was "irresponsible."
"I accept full responsibility and there is no excuse for my actions," Min said. "To my family, constituents and supporters, I am so deeply sorry. I know I need to do better. I will not let this personal failure distract from our work in California and in Washington."
National Republicans have called on voters to “rightfully” judge Min for his past behavior,
Ben Petersen, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), sounded the alarm about Min in a news release for co-signing with the “Socialist Squad’s” dangerous voting record against local law enforcement and stronger border security,
With this move, Min is screaming to Orange County families just how extreme he would be in Congress,” Petersen said.