North Dakota State Representative Nico Rios recently apologized for offensive and abusive remarks he made toward an officer while being stopped for driving under the influence (DUI) earlier this month.
Rios made these remarks after he was pulled over on December 15 for failure to not stay in his lane. According to reports from multiple outlets, Rios was arrested and charged with DUI and rejected a request to be subjected to a chemical test.
Per an Associated Press report, both charges are misdemeanors as outlined by North Dakota law, and Rios is slated to participate in a pretrial hearing on February 5.
During the DUI stop, Rios reportedly used homophobic, anti-migrant comments toward a police officer and was “verbally abusive” throughout the “entire duration of the incident.”
Rios declared in a statement following the encounter that the two officers who stopped him were just doing their jobs and his comments were “absolutely unacceptable.”
“I owe it to myself, my district, and everyone and I vow to make sure this never happens again,” he stated. “Moving forward after this night I feel like I have to emphasize my complete and total commitment to supporting Law Enforcement. I messed up big time and I am truly sorry.”
In a statement that BLP was able to obtain, Rios said as follows:
First of all, I’d like to apologize to the people of District
23, the North Dakota GOP, and the entire Legislature. I
want to apologize to all of North Dakota.
No one ever wants to come to the people he represents
and have to say they’re sorry. But, I want you to hear it
from me first.
This past weekend, I had a few too many drinks at a
Christmas party, made the mistake of driving home, and
received a DUI. I’m deeply embarrassed as this is not
how I want to represent the people. My terrible
decisions that night will not hinder my ability to
represent and fight for the people of District 23. I’m
deeply sorry and regretful for my actions.
Rios then highlighted the steps he will take to prevent such an incident from ever occurring again:
Moving forward I will seek the appropriate help to make
sure it never happens again. I am not a saint, but may
God give me the strength to someday become one.
Despite calls from North Dakota leadership for Rios to resign, the state representative says he doesn’t plan on resignation anytime soon:
Given the gravity of the situation, I completely understand why some people want me to step aside. These calls have not gone unheard. I am seriously mulling all aspects of my future. As I weigh my future in the legislature, I am going to spend the next few months addressing my issues with alcoholism and getting the help I need.
Rios took ownership of the offensive comments he made and acknowledged they were uncalled for:
Inebriated or not my actions and words to law
enforcement that night were absolutely unacceptable.
Just two cop doing their jobs keeping the community safe
when they ran into me on a night I decided to act like a
dummie. They did nothing to deserve any sort of
disrespect. I owe it to myself, my district, and everyone
and I vow to make sure this never happens again.
Moving forward after this night I feel like I have to
emphasize my complete and total commitment to
supporting Law Enforcement. I messed up big time and I
am truly sorry.
In a concluding statement, Rios said the following:
I am 100% committed to making repairs for my actions and straightening out my life. This unfortunate episode was a wake-up call for me, I cannot win this battle against addiction alone. However, with prayer, family, and friends I do believe I will make the changes needed.
Although I have no right to ask, I am appealing to you all for the support I need to get sober and repair the damage I have done.
Since being elected to the North Dakota State House in 2022, Rios has represented North Dakota’s 23rd House district.