A Democratic candidate for the Indiana State Senate has been arrested after allegedly canvassing a suburban neighborhood while under the influence of cocaine.
State Senate hopeful Andrew Dezelan was taken into custody Sunday on charges of possession and resisting law enforcement after he was found knocking on doors in a Fishers neighborhood, according to WND. A probable cause affidavit filed in Hamilton County court states that an officer approached Dezelan around 8 p.m. after a resident reported a person soliciting in the area.
The officer walked up to Dezelans vehicle and questioned him about the difference between canvassing and soliciting, WFYI reported. Dezelan, 38, claimed that a member of the homeowners association had authorized him to canvass in the neighborhood, according to the outlet.
Dezelan was allegedly speaking rapidly, sweating and had pinpoint pupils, per WFYI. When the officer asked him to step out of the car to be detained, Dezelan put the vehicle in reverse before eventually complying, the outlet reported.
After a brief struggle, the officer brought Dezelan to the ground and handcuffed him, WFYI noted. A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up a small plastic bag containing a powder that a field test later confirmed was cocaine, WRTV reported Tuesday.
Dezelans campaign did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundations request for comment. His campaign website states he previously spent 11 years as policy director for the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus.
He says he chose to run for office because he understands the real challenges facing small business owners and retirees navigating Medicare, according to his campaign bio. There are currently three Democratic and three Republican candidates vying for the Senate District 31 seat, WFYI reported on April 17, underscoring how high the stakes are as voters weigh character and judgment alongside policy in a closely watched race.
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