State Sen. Dave Min was sentenced to three years of informal probation on Tuesday for his misdemeanor drunk driving charge, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

Min’s sentence includes having to enroll in a state-licensed alcohol and drug education program for individuals convicted of a first DUI offense, said Shelly Orio, a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office. Min, who pleaded no contest to the charge, will be required to complete the 30-hour program, which, according to the Department of Health Care Services’ website, enables participants to “consider attitudes and behavior, support positive lifestyle changes, and reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol and/or drugs.”

Neither Min nor a spokesperson for his congressional campaign commented on the sentencing when reached Wednesday.

Min, D-Irvine, was arrested by California Highway Patrol officers in May on suspicion of DUI and for having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit. He was stopped by California Highway Patrol officers the night of May 2 while in Sacramento, less than two miles from the Capitol, according to the CHP arrest report.

After officers saw the vehicle with its headlights off, they followed it, and “observed the vehicle stop at a red light momentarily and then proceed into the intersection while the light remained red,” the report said, adding the officers “noticed signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication” when Min was approached.

Min wrote an apology on Facebook after he was released from the Sacramento County Jail.

“My decision to drive last night was irresponsible,” he said. “I accept full responsibility and there is no excuse for my actions. To my family, constituents and supporters, I am so deeply sorry.”

The senator, who has represented a large swath of Orange County in the legislature since 2020, is running to replace Rep. Katie Porter in California’s 47th congressional district. He is up against former GOP Assembly leader Scott Baugh, Republican businessman Max Ukropina and Democratic community organizer Joanna Weiss, who are the other major candidates to raise significant money so far in the 2024 race for the congressional seat.

People from both sides of the aisle have called for Min to end his congressional campaign. The Republican Party of Orange County said Min should “drop out of the race for Congress. Former Rep. Harley Rouda, who was also once running for the CA-47 seat, backed Weiss and called on Min to withdraw.

“Do Orange County voters want a liberal career politician who will be under court probation in his first term for drunk driving while representing us in Sacramento? Or a fresh face and a political outsider who is less concerned about mingling at Washington cocktail parties and more concerned about fighting for OC’s conservative values,” said Ukropina.

A spokesperson for Porter, who had endorsed Min, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This story has been updated. 

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