North Dakota schools chief Baesler apologizes for DUI arrest

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s chief education officer apologized Thursday following her arrest on suspicion of drunken driving, saying she made a “serious mistake.”

Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler was pulled over about 10 p.m. Wednesday on Memorial Highway in Mandan, the state Highway Patrol said. The patrol has not said what led to the arrest.

“I made a serious mistake last night, “Baesler said in a statement. “I let down my team at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. I let my family down. I let myself down. I am deeply sorry for my actions. I am going to learn from this, seek help, and focus on my well-being and health.”

Baesler, 50, was first elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. She announced earlier this month she plans to seek another term.

Baesler returned to work Thursday and attended a meeting of the state Board of University and School Lands, which manages state-owned land and minerals for the benefit of public education. Gov. Doug Burgum is chairman of the board that also includes Baesler, the state treasurer, attorney general and secretary of state.

Baesler told The Associated Press she had no comment beyond her statement.

It's not Baesler's first brush with law enforcement while in public office. She was arrested in 2015 on suspicion of assaulting her then-fiance, but a Bismarck city prosecutor dismissed the assault charge for lack of evidence about six weeks later.

Baesler pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft in 1997 in Mandan municipal court. She received a deferred imposition of sentence and was ordered to pay $100. Her spokesman has said she was grocery shopping at the time with her three young children and placed a bag of macadamia nuts in her purse and forgot to pay for them.

Baesler, who...