Traverse City Mayor Estes pleads guilty to misdemeanor impaired driving 1 day before election

Traverse City, Mich, Mayor Michael Estes reads a statement Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, outside the Governmental Center a week after his arrest for drunk driving. Estes announced he was not stepping down from his position and staying in the race for reelection. (AP Photo/Traverse City Record-Eagle, Jan-Michael Stump)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Traverse City, Mich, Mayor Michael Estes and his wife Rhonda leave the clerk's office after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired today in 86th District Court.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Traverse City Mayor Michael Estes has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that Estes appeared in district court today, less than two weeks after his arrest on a drunken driving count. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

The 63-year-old mayor was pulled over Oct. 23 after a candidates’ forum. Police spotted his pickup truck weaving across turn and bike lanes on a downtown street. A breath test recorded a blood-alcohol content of 0.12 percent, exceeding the 0.08 percent legal limit for driving.

He could get up to 93 days in jail. Judge Michael Stepka ordered an examination of the details of Estes’ drinking.

Estes is seeking re-election Tuesday. He has asked for the public’s forgiveness.