PORT BAY, Carova--He fell from office in disgrace, but former Carova Lt. Gov. Carson Latzo (N) is seeking a political comeback.
Latzo left office in 2010, after he and Gov. Dan McCrae were trounced at the polls when they were defeated by Conservatives Sam Byelle and Dave Emser by a 62%-38% margin.
Their defeat was largely attributed to a scandal hanging over then-Lieutenant Governor Latzo, who was accused of drunken driving in September 2008.
The allegations were never proved, but stemmed from a traffic stop in Lichmond County. Latzo had attended a dinner party in Lorenzi and was driving back to his home in Carova City, a three and a half hour drive, when he was pulled over in eastern Lichmond County.
The officer who made the stop allegedly believed Latzo to be drunk, but was uncomfortable arresting him because of his high-ranking status. The officer reportedly phoned his superior officer, who advised him not to arrest Latzo, but instead transport him back to Carova City privately and tow his vehicle.
When the story became public, Latzo acknowledged the traffic stop, but denied being drunk.
Complicating matters further, the Lichmond County Sheriff's Department lost the breathalyzer test results and the dash-cam video data from the officer's patrol car.
That resulted in Lichmond County District Attorney Beth Mandley declining to file charges against Latzo, citing a lack of evidence.
Latzo later faced a state ethics investigation, which found he had used "poor judgement." He was not punished, however, and faced no sanctions.
Still, he has had a cloud of suspicion hanging over him since the incident. And now he's seeking a political comeback, because he says his work in public service is not over yet.
"I'm running because I still have a passion to serve people, and there is so much that needs to be done in this country," he told the Lorenzi Hill.
And what about the drunken-driving scandal that has plagued him for the past four years?
"First of all, I was never indicted by the D.A.; secondly, I admitted that I used poor judgement and should probably have handled that situation differently. But I don't think the people of Carova are going to let one little blip on my otherwise perfect record overshadow my years of service and all the good things I have done for this state. I'm not ready to stop giving myself and my talents to help make the state of Carova better off," he said.
Latzo is vying for the Assembly seat of Desmond, a heavily NAT district which encompasses inner-city Carlingford.
He earlier mulled challenging Conservative MP Aaron Hallings, who has served in the Assembly representing the Port Bay area for six years, but Latzo has now moved electorates after redistricting.
State and national NAT party leaders have been hesitant to support Latzo, but a key NAT consultant says party leaders will back him if he wins, which he is all but certain to do.
"Once he wins and takes office, the party will most certainly back him," Derek Vance told the Lorenzi Hill.
Latzo will face token opposition from Conservative Pauline Oberdar, who has little money and support from outside Carlingford.
Latzo has raised just $730,000, but has been door-belling for a month straight.
"I've been door-belling every day for a month now. Trying to reach the voters and get them to see that I am a real person who is passionate about my community and serving."
Latzo left office in 2010, after he and Gov. Dan McCrae were trounced at the polls when they were defeated by Conservatives Sam Byelle and Dave Emser by a 62%-38% margin.
Their defeat was largely attributed to a scandal hanging over then-Lieutenant Governor Latzo, who was accused of drunken driving in September 2008.
The allegations were never proved, but stemmed from a traffic stop in Lichmond County. Latzo had attended a dinner party in Lorenzi and was driving back to his home in Carova City, a three and a half hour drive, when he was pulled over in eastern Lichmond County.
The officer who made the stop allegedly believed Latzo to be drunk, but was uncomfortable arresting him because of his high-ranking status. The officer reportedly phoned his superior officer, who advised him not to arrest Latzo, but instead transport him back to Carova City privately and tow his vehicle.
When the story became public, Latzo acknowledged the traffic stop, but denied being drunk.
Complicating matters further, the Lichmond County Sheriff's Department lost the breathalyzer test results and the dash-cam video data from the officer's patrol car.
That resulted in Lichmond County District Attorney Beth Mandley declining to file charges against Latzo, citing a lack of evidence.
Latzo later faced a state ethics investigation, which found he had used "poor judgement." He was not punished, however, and faced no sanctions.
Still, he has had a cloud of suspicion hanging over him since the incident. And now he's seeking a political comeback, because he says his work in public service is not over yet.
"I'm running because I still have a passion to serve people, and there is so much that needs to be done in this country," he told the Lorenzi Hill.
And what about the drunken-driving scandal that has plagued him for the past four years?
"First of all, I was never indicted by the D.A.; secondly, I admitted that I used poor judgement and should probably have handled that situation differently. But I don't think the people of Carova are going to let one little blip on my otherwise perfect record overshadow my years of service and all the good things I have done for this state. I'm not ready to stop giving myself and my talents to help make the state of Carova better off," he said.
Latzo is vying for the Assembly seat of Desmond, a heavily NAT district which encompasses inner-city Carlingford.
He earlier mulled challenging Conservative MP Aaron Hallings, who has served in the Assembly representing the Port Bay area for six years, but Latzo has now moved electorates after redistricting.
State and national NAT party leaders have been hesitant to support Latzo, but a key NAT consultant says party leaders will back him if he wins, which he is all but certain to do.
"Once he wins and takes office, the party will most certainly back him," Derek Vance told the Lorenzi Hill.
Latzo will face token opposition from Conservative Pauline Oberdar, who has little money and support from outside Carlingford.
Latzo has raised just $730,000, but has been door-belling for a month straight.
"I've been door-belling every day for a month now. Trying to reach the voters and get them to see that I am a real person who is passionate about my community and serving."
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