NOT THE TYPE OF PUBLICITY A CANDIDATE WANTS DAYS BEFORE THE PRIMARY

Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson, a two term incumbant facing a challenge in Tuesday's Republican primary, was arrested during the wee hours of this morning and charged with DUI near downtown Lakeland.

Wilkinson denies being under the influence of alcohol, saying that he had been putting up campaign signs when he pulled into the Walgreen's Drug Store about 3:00 AM to purchase some bottled water. A Lakeland police officer pulled over the commissioner's vehicle a few blocks away when he noticed that his headlights were not on and that he had crossed a yellow line while turning onto a side street.

Police say that the 53-year-old Wilkinson performed poorly on a field sobrierity test. He was given a Breathalyzer test, which an LPD spokesperson confirmed registered no blood alcohol content. According to the Lakeland Ledger, "A Lakeland Police drug expert subsequently examined Wilson and 'impairment was observed,' according to the affidavit."

The commissioner was transported to the Polk County Jail, from where he was released just before noon under a $500 bond.

This will undoubtebly become more fodder for primary opponent Betty Hill, whose campaign during the past week sent an e-mail advertisment highlighting Wilkinson's mug shot from a 2002 arrest for domestic battery...a charge which was later dropped.