News just two weeks before the primary election that Jon Golnik, Republican candidate for Congress in the 5th District, had been arrested for and admitted to drunken driving is doubly disappointing.
It is disappointing first because drunken driving is a serious crime which puts one's life and the lives of others at risk.
And it is disappointing further that Golnik, in preparing his run for Congress, did not see fit to get this incident from his past out into the open sooner. Golnik told our reporter he did not mention the incident, which happened in 2001, because he didn't think it would impact the campaign.
Anyone with a modicum of political savvy knows that skeletons in a candidate's closet always find their way out. It is far better to address them honestly and early in a campaign than to be left mumbling responses to reporters' questions days before an election.
Golnik was arrested May 4, 2001, in Arlington while driving home from an AC/DC concert in Boston. He was 35 years old at the time.
Golnik was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and drugs and an equipment violation. The drug charge was dropped soon after Golnik's arrest.
In June 2001, Golnik admitted to sufficient facts on the drunken-driving charge and lost his license for 45 days in addition to paying court fees and taking mandated alcohol education classes.
There is conflicting information about the drug charge.
The police report said the arresting officer found rolling papers in Golnik's possession and that he admitted to having smoked half-a-joint of marijuana earlier that evening.
Golnik's high-powered defense attorney, J.W. Carney Jr., also noted in sentencing documents at the time that, according to police, rolling papers were found and his client had admitted to taking hits off a marijuana cigarette at the concert.
Golnik says the drug allegations are simply not true.
"I drank beers and drove," Golnik told reporter Brian Messenger this week. "I never smoked grass. I never smoked marijuana."
Golnik, of Carlisle, is one of four Republicans running against incumbent Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. It will be up to voters to decide if Golnik's lapse in judgment is enough to derail his campaign.
