Perham-Area Rep. Elliott Engen, 27, Arrested on Suspicion of DWI
Engen, running for state auditor after criticizing his opponent's DWI conviction, was arrested at 1:51 a.m. Friday on suspicion of driving while impaired.
Elliott Engen stepped off the Minnesota House floor just after 9 p.m. Thursday, having spoken minutes earlier in debate over a large-capacity magazine ban. Less than five hours later, White Bear Lake police pulled the 27-year-old Republican over near Fourth Street and Otter Lake Road for speeding, an inoperable headlight, and expired registration.
A breath test at the White Bear Lake Police Department registered a blood alcohol content of 0.13, well above Minnesota's legal limit of 0.08. Engen's attorney, Chris Madel, later provided documents showing lower BAC readings of .098 and then .092. The discrepancy between the two sets of figures had not been publicly resolved as of Friday's initial reporting. Engen was transported to the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center, booked at 4:42 a.m. on suspicion of fourth-degree DWI, and released at 6:21 a.m. The case has been forwarded to the city attorney; Engen had not been formally charged as of Friday.
Engen, who represents parts of Otter Tail County including Perham and was first elected in 2022, issued an apology Friday afternoon. "To my family, colleagues and constituents. I am deeply sorry. I strive to be a man of great character, and my actions fell short last night. I will learn from this. I will do better," he said.
The arrest carries sharp political weight. Engen entered the race for Minnesota state auditor in October and had previously criticized his DFL opponent, Rep. Dan Wolgamott of St. Cloud, over Wolgamott's 2023 DWI conviction when Wolgamott announced his own auditor candidacy last fall. Both men remain in the race.
House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said she was "extremely disappointed to learn of Rep. Engen's arrest" and would "consider further consequences as the legal process unfolds."
When asked whether Engen planned to withdraw from the auditor's race, attorney Madel told FOX 9: "We haven't discussed it, but I sure hope not."
The legislature remains on its annual break until April 7.
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