The Chairman of the Hudson County Republican Party was charged with driving while intoxicated early this morning after police said he had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath and “had trouble speaking clearly,” according to a Port Authority police spokesman.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Jose Arango, 57, of West New York, was pulled over in his 2009 black Nissan in Jersey City around 1:30 a.m. after a Port Authority police officer noticed he was driving with no headlights on, said Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo.
The car, traveling west on 14th Street, eventually swerved within a lane of traffic on 14th Street near Manila Avenue, prompting the officer to pull him over, authorities said.
Arango pulled over and when interviewed by police, they noted “a strong odor of alcohol on the suspect’s breath” and that he “had trouble speaking clearly,” police said.
According to the arresting officers, Arango used the door for support and balance and when exiting his car, he stumbled, prompting police to place him under arrest, officials said.
A longtime staple of the Hudson County Republican party, Arango was elected the chair of the chairs for the Association of the New Jersey Republican County Chairs last year.
He is also the director of Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce, a position he’s held since 1998, where he earns just over $100,000 annually – according to public records.
Arango could not immediately be reached for comment.