State sup pleads guilty to drunk driving

Superintendent Randy Dorn pleaded guilty Friday in Orting Municipal Court to one count of drunk driving.

Dorn was stopped by Orting Police early last Sunday morning, March 28, 20 miles from his home in Eatonville.

He was processed and cited for driving under the influence and for speeding, but was not booked into jail.

In a prepared statement, Dorn said he was driving home with his family from a community event, where he drank beer with dinner.

In a statement, Dorn said he “agreed to take an alcohol assessment.” According to state patrol records, Dorn took two breath tests around 3 a.m., showing a blood-alcohol level of 0.11, above the 0.08 legal limit.

“The assessment confirmed what I already knew: alcohol is not a problem in my life. Alcohol does not affect my ability to serve Washington’s citizens,” Dorn said. Dorn later released this statement:

“First, I want to apologize for my actions and the distraction they have caused. I drank alcohol and got behind the wheel of a car. That is a mistake, no matter how much you drink. I apologize to my family, the students and the educators across our state.”

He said his attorney believed they could have pleaded not guilty, but he wanted to accept the consequences of his actions.

“I will do what I can to earn back the public’s trust,” Dorn said.

“I want to turn this experience from a negative into a positive. For me, as a career educator, this is a teachable moment. I am going to continue to seek out opportunities to help young people learn from my mistake.”

He assured the public the incident has not affected his ability to do his job as state schools chief.

“I will continue to work hard to move my agenda forward, especially as it relates to achieving real reform of education funding.”

Dorn was elected in 2008. He has never been charged with a crime.