Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe Busted for DUI Just a Month Before Election

Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe found himself on the wrong side of the law this morning after getting busted for DUI. The arrest comes just a month before he's set to face off in a runoff election to keep his seat.

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was called out at 3:46 a.m. to investigate a car accident, and the officer found Lowe asleep behind the wheel. The crash did not involve another car.

According to WCJB, Lowe appeared intoxicated, and his silver Honda Civic was noticeably damaged. He fessed up to drinking three beers earlier in the evening. A blood alcohol test was administered after the mayor was booked and came back under the legal limit. However, the arresting officer determined Lowe had been impaired at the time of the crash and had merely sobered up some in the meantime.

Police believe Lowe hit a ditch and a street sign.

He was booked into jail at 6:30 this morning on charges of DUI with property damage.

Lowe was elected in 2010 as Gainesville's first openly gay mayor. He placed second earlier this year in the initial round of voting to defend his seat. He's set to face Ed Braddy in a runoff election next month.

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