The head of Hudson County’s Republican Party was arrested early Wednesday after police say he was driving drunk in Jersey City.
Jose Arango, 57, was stopped at about 1:30 a.m. for driving his black, 2009 Nissan with no headlights and swerving within a traffic lane on 14th Street near Manila Avenue, Port Authority police said.
When officers pulled Arango over, he smelled strongly of alcohol and was having trouble speaking clearly, police said. Arango allegedly stumbled as he got out of his car and had to use his door for support as he was being interviewed by police.
Arango was arrested and his car was impounded.
Police said Arango had an active traffic warrant out of Union City when he was arrested. He was charged with drunken driving, refusal to submit to a breath test and not having his lights on, reports NJ.com. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Arango has led the Hudson County Republican Party for more than 10 years and currently serves as the director of the Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce, according to NJ.com.
