OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – An Oklahoma state lawmaker was arrested Thursday morning and accused of public intoxication.

According to officials, State Representative Dean Davis was arrested in Bricktown early Thursday morning for allegedly being drunk in public.

In 2019, Davis pleaded no contest for a DUI charge which, authorities say, includes charges for speeding and obstructing an officer.

Officials say Davis received a deferred sentence in September of 2022.

In a public apology on the House floor regarding the arrest on Thursday, Davis disputed any wrongdoing:

“I understand that last night has become a story and that many of my colleagues in the house are being asked to comment on or to explain the events of last night. I dispute any wrongdoing. However I do want to take this opportunity to apologize to this body for creating this unnecessary distraction from the important work of the House. Thank you members for allowing me this time. Thank you Mr. Speaker,” he said.

In an interview Thursday with KFOR, Democratic House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, (D)- Oklahoma City, said she hoped the Republical representative would seek help, while saying the comments did not suffice in addression House decorum for state leaders.

“He broke a house rule when it comes to decorum. And he clearly ran into some trouble last night. And so he should be held accountable for that,” said Munson.

However, the apology Thursday prompted calls for more accountability from House Democratic leaders, particularly as Rep. Mauree Turner, (D) – OKC faced censure by State House leaders earlier this month for their actions at a recent trans rights protest.

“Today alone, we have members again who have been in trouble with law enforcement, who have been arrested, who have been charged with crimes, who preside over the body, who continue to be in committees and vote, who are able to ask questions and vote and debate. And all we’re simply asking is for, you know, they should be treated equally,” added Munson.

“[Republicans] took it upon themselves to censure one of our members, and they should consider censuring the representative,” she said.

“Realistically the hope is that we get better leadership,” said Turner, in response to the news, but going on to reference a desire to focus on accountability and truth and putting a stop to “hypocrisy”.

“[But] those aren’t things that they are concerned with right now,” she added.

“They have shown us time and time again who they are and the hope now is that as elected officials…that we listen to them.”

When KFOR asked Gov. Stitt about his reaction to Rep. Davis’ arrest, he said he didn’t know about the arrest or the specifics of the case.

However, he said that leaders of the state need to be held accountable for their actions.

“People sometimes make poor choices and they need to be held, they need to be held accountable. So don’t know any specifics about that. But, you know, we’re going to be a law and order state in Oklahoma and we hold ourselves to higher standards, especially as public officials,” Gov. Stitt said.