UPDATE, 3 p.m.:

Mark Wheetley responded to an Outpost inquiry with the following statement:

“I understand that there is public interest in this personal matter. I would simply ask that others reserve judgment until the legal process has concluded.”

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Original post:

Arcata City Councilmember and former mayor Mark Wheetley, who has announced his candidacy for Third District Humboldt County Supervisor, was arrested Thursday night for driving under the influence, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Wheetley was pulled over for speeding around 9:10 p.m. on State Route 255, just past the Samoa bridges near the intersection with Navy Base Road, according to CHP spokesman Cy May.

Wheetley has been charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level above 0.08 percent. According to the arrest report, which Officer May said was not yet fully filled out, there was no one else involved in the incident — no passengers and no other vehicles.

Wheetley has been a member of the Arcata City Council since 2005, serving as mayor in 2008, 2009 and 2014. He announced his run for Third District county supervisor last month. He’s looking to succeed current Supervisor Mark Lovelace, who is not seeking reelection. Humboldt Bay Harbor District Commissioner Mike Wilson and farrier/activist Uri Driscoll are also running for the seat.

The Outpost reached out to Wheetley via email this morning but has not yet heard back.