Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican congressman from New York and a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, has revealed that he was arrested for driving while intoxicated in 2012. The disclosure comes as Lawler is campaigning for reelection in a closely contested race.
Lawler, 39, shared the details of the incident on Wednesday in an interview with News12, a local New York news outlet. He explained that at age 25, he drove home after consuming alcohol in New York City and subsequently failed a breathalyzer test. He was then arrested by local police.
In a Facebook post, Lawler described the incident as one of the "worst" decisions of his life, noting his disappointment in himself and his failure to consider his father, who had been a recovering alcoholic for nearly 20 years. The arrest occurred shortly after he learned his father's cancer had spread to his brain.
Lawler, who has become a vocal proponent of anti-drunk driving initiatives since joining Congress, was recognized in July 2024 with a "Legislative Hero Award" from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). He has frequently used his platform to advocate for road safety. In January, he cosponsored the Drunk Driving Prevention and Enforcement Act with Democratic lawmakers, a bill aimed at enhancing impaired driving prevention through technology and law enforcement.
He and Rep. Debbie Dingell also sent a joint letter to the Secretary of Transportation urging the swift implementation of the HALT Drunk Driving Law. This law mandates that new vehicles be equipped with advanced technology to prevent operation if a driver is impaired.
Lawler's advocacy has also extended to immigration policy. During his 2024 reelection campaign, he supported deporting undocumented immigrants convicted of DUI offenses, citing a case where an individual charged with murder had a prior DUI arrest.
Lawler's congressional seat is currently rated as a "toss-up" by The Cook Political Report. He won his previous election in 2024 with 52.1 percent of the vote. Trump campaigned with Lawler in May, highlighting his bipartisan efforts. Lawler is set to face Democratic challenger Cait Conley in the 2026 election.