Republican Tom Taylor of Dunwoody was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in northeast Georgia’s Rabun County according to an AJC story by Aaron Gould Sheinin. According to a police report, Taylor’s blood alcohol level was nearly 3 times the legal limit, was driving 72 mph in a 45 mph zone, and had four juveniles with him. He was carrying a gun at the time he was arrested.
While everyone should be considered innocent until proven guilty, Taylor’s arrest comes at a critical time, six weeks before the Republican primary election, and 18 days before the start of early voting. Taylor’s primary challenger is Tom Owens. Yeah, that Tom Owens. Taylor is also the chairman of the MARTA oversight committee. After transit related legislation got limited results in the 2016 session, providing only a mini TSPLOST in Fulton County, a more extensive debate on transit, especially in the Atlanta region, is expected in 2017.
The winner of the GOP primary faces no opposition in November. It’s possible, but unlikely, that Taylor’s case will be wrapped up before the primary. It will be interesting to see which candidate District 79 Republicans choose.