Former State Sen. Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny Charged with Drunk Driving

Former Republican Senate Leader Jeff Lamberti of was arrested last night on a charge of driving drunk, according to the Des Moines Register.

Lamberti, 49, was observed by Des Moines police driving along Interstate Highway 235 in Des Moines swerving onto the shoulder and weaving lane to lane around 10 p.m., a police report shows.

After being stopped, Lamberti initially told officers he was texting while driving and admitted to having two beers at Embassy Suites. He later said he had four beers and later still said he had six, the newspaper reported. Two different tests confirmed Lamberti was more than twice the legal driving limit.

“I made a stupid mistake,” Lamberti, president of the Iowa Barnstormers, told the Register. “I deeply regret I made that mistake and almost find it hard to believe that I did. But it was a mistake and I’m going to take responsibility for it. It shouldn’t have happened and it will never happen again.”

Lamberti, of Ankeny, ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell in 2006.

Lamberti was also given a ticket for texting while driving, the Register said.

Lamberti is vice chairman of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.