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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Campaign manager resigns after arrest

From staff reports

BOISE – U.S. Rep. Butch Otter, who’s running for governor, said Friday that his campaign manager has resigned after being arrested Thursday on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Jason Lehosit, 28, was Otter’s campaign manager for his current run for governor and his last run for Congress; Lehosit also served as Gov. Dirk Kempthorne’s campaign manager in 2002.

According to Ada County Sheriff’s Department and 4th District Court records, Lehosit was charged with felony DUI, as he had two previous DUI convictions within the past five years.

Otter said he can’t hear about anyone getting a DUI, whether he knows them or not, without reflecting on his own well-publicized DUI back in 1992.

“People use bad judgment, just like I did,” Otter said. “They need time, just like I did. You have to go through a public process, and you have to go through a very personal process. Part of that process, at least in my case, was directed by the court, and part by your own conscience. … I think Jason’s going to take the time to deal with the problem.”

Otter, at the Statehouse on Friday to address the House Commerce Committee, said he hadn’t talked with Lehosit. “As of this morning, he has resigned and we’re looking for somebody else to do that,” he said.

Otter released this prepared statement: “I believe in personal responsibility when it comes to public policy, and it applies equally to personal behavior. If someone uses poor judgment and breaks the rules, they need to be held accountable. That goes for me, and the people who work for me, as much as anyone else. Jason understands that.”