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DuPage County GOP Chair Arrested For DUI

CAROL STREAM, Ill. (CBS) -- New DuPage County Republican Party Chairman Randy Ramey has been arrested for drunk driving, the state lawmaker confirmed on Tuesday.

"I regret and take full responsibility for my actions, and I am prepared to face the consequences," Ramey said in a written statement. "I am deeply sorry to disappoint my family and my constituents."

Ramey, a state representative from Carol Stream, was charged with DUI after police in his hometown saw him driving his vehicle erratically over the weekend, according to Vicki Crawford, spokeswoman for House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego).

Ramey, 48, registered a .17 blood-alcohol level during a sobriety test, which is more than twice the legal driving limit, Crawford said.

Crawford said he was "coming back from a restaurant bar" and had been "visiting with the owner." He was in his vehicle by himself at the time of being stopped, she said.

Crawford did not have details about where Ramey was stopped or when exactly it occurred. A call to the Carol Stream Police Department seeking details was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Ramey is the stepson of former Senate President James "Pate" Philip (R-Wood Dale). He took over the helm of the DuPage County Republican Party in July, filling the unexpired term as party chairman of DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin.

(The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.)

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