Behavior of two Minnesota lawmakers called into question following DWI arrest

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – Minnesota House leaders from both sides of the aisle are reviewing the conduct of two GOP representatives following a traffic stop last week.

Rep. Elliott Engen was arrested on suspicion of DWI. The Lino Lakes lawmaker has since been charged with a misdemeanor drunk driving offense.

According to a White Bear Lake police report, Engen denied drinking after officers stopped him early Friday morning. He later registered a 0.13 blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

Also in Engen’s vehicle was Rep. Walter Hudson of Albertville, the report stated, and another passenger who has not been named.

Hudson told police that one of the alcohol bottles found in the vehicle belonged to him. He was also carrying a legal firearm. In Minnesota, it is against the law to carry a weapon with a BAC above 0.04.

Hudson has not been charged with any crime.

Both lawmakers have apologized in statements, with Engen writing that “poor choices were made.”

About 12 hours before the March 27 traffic stop, a former Minnesota House staffer—who held a nonpartisan position—posted a a photo of Engen and Hudson drinking alcohol at a St. Paul restaurant. According to Brian Basham, who worked as a public information services writer, the picture was taken around 2:30 p.m.

That was shortly before the start of a House floor session and during a time where both lawmakers were scheduled to be in a committee meeting. KARE 11, our NBC partner in the Twin Cities, reported archived video shows both members’ chairs vacant on the Republican side of the room for that meeting. The seats remained empty during testimony about a bill related to student attendance rates.

Jump to 3:30 p.m., Engen and Hudson were back in the Capitol, where they voted to block DFL proposals around limiting ICE and banning assault weapons. Both elected officials spoke publicly on the House floor.

DFL House leader Zack Stephenson called the situation a serious matter that deserves immediate attention.

In a statement, he asked, “Were Rep. Engen and Rep. Hudson intoxicated during the House floor session on Thursday, when votes were taken on critical public safety measures?”

House Speaker Lisa Demuth said she would be addressing the matter directly with the two members.

“The decisions made in this incident were unacceptable and fall short of the expectations I have for conduct of legislators,” she wrote in a statement.

Engen is seeking the GOP endorsement for the state auditor position.

The Minnesota legislature is on recess this week and will return to the Capitol on April 7.

Several state lawmakers from both parties have been arrested and charged for impaired driving offenses.

Most recently, DFL Sen. Tou Xiong of Maplewood pleaded guilty late last year for driving while intoxicated. He is not seeking reelection in 2026.

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