DENVER (AP) — Colorado Republican state Rep. Mike Lynch announced he's stepping down as minority leader Wednesday, a week after The Denver Post reported that Lynch was arrested in 2022 on suspicion of drunken driving and possession of a gun while intoxicated. Lynch is also running for Congress in Colorado's 4th District, a hotly contested race recently joined by Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert after she announced she was switching districts. “I want it to be clear that I’m not stepping down because I won a close vote of no confidence,” Lynch said to gathered lawmakers on the House floor. The report details Lynch telling King he was a supporter of law enforcement and asking the trooper to call Colorado State Patrol’s legislative liaison at the state Capitol. A vote to elect a new minority leader will be held Thursday morning.

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