Michael Heinold, the Republican candidate for the South District seat on the Porter County Board of Commissioners, was arrested Saturday on a charge of operating while intoxicated, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police said.

According to police, at 12:18 a.m. Heinold, 45, of 114E 50S in Morgan Township, was stopped in the area of U.S. Highway 30 and Horse Prairie Ave. for “having only one functioning headlight.”

Heinold “apologized for the headlight violation and informed me that he knows the light is broken and has been driving with his high beams on,” the investigating officer stated in his report.

Heinold showed signs of intoxication and admitted to having had “a few beers with a couple of Jim Beam and Cokes at the Franklin House earlier,” the officer stated.

Heinold subsequently passed one field sobriety test but failed two others and registered a blood alcohol content .13 percent on a chemical test, the officer stated. Motorists in Indiana are considered legally intoxicated when they score a B.A.C. of .8 percent or higher.

Heinold—who was issued a citation for improper headlights—was transported to Porter County Jail.

Heinold is running against Democrat Laura Shurr Blaney for the open South District seat on the Porter County Commissioners.

Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Posted 10/29/2012