Rep. Aundré Bumgardner, D-Groton, has been suspended from his leadership and committee assignments following his arrest early Sunday on a driving-under-the-influence charge.
Police in Groton said he was arrested after being pulled over on the Gold Star Highway after 2 a.m. An incident report was not available Monday.
House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said Bumgardner informed him of the arrest Sunday morning. Ritter immediately suspended him, as he has in two recent DUI cases involving House members. Bumgardner’s ability to cast floor votes is unaffected.
“I have spoken with Aundré, and he understands that he must take full responsibility and work every day to win back the trust of his constituents and colleagues,” Ritter said. “Aundré is a dedicated and compassionate young man, and it is clear from talking to him that he is owning this very serious mistake.”
Bumgardner is an assistant majority leader, vice chair of the Environment Committee and member of the Energy and Technology Committee, Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, and Transportation Committee.
Bumgardner declined to comment Monday on the advice of his lawyer.
Bumgardner, 30, is serving this third term in the 41st House District of Groton and Stonington. He was elected in 2014 as a Republican and lost in 2016, then left the GOP and became active in the local Democratic Party.
He returned to the House after winning with 62% of the vote in 2022. He was unopposed in 2024.