Teen Finds Campaign Worker At Back Door At 3AM (Pawlenty worker arrested)
ANKENY, Iowa — A 15-year-old girl found a campaign worker from Alabama banging on her Ankeny family’s back door early Wednesday morning.
Chloe Steward told KCCI she heard her dog barking around 3 a.m. and went to investigate. She said she found a man trying to get into the back door… Video Interview.
“His arm was in my back door, trying to get in and I screamed and went upstairs to my parents room and I continued screaming,” said Chloe Steward.
The family then called police.
Police said Benjamin Foster was arrested and charged with public intoxication and trespassing. He was taken to the Polk County Jail.
Iowa political strategist Eric Woolson is a consultant for the Pawlenty Exploratory Committee. He confirmed to KCCI that Foster is employed by the Pawlenty Exploratory Committee. He declined comment at this time on the incident.
Tim Pawlenty is the former governor of Minnesota and has an office in Iowa to explore a possible presidential campaign.
The Steward family said Foster was drunk and was trying to get home to a friend’s house in Johnston. They said he vomited in their backyard and scared their daughter.
Ankeny Police Chief Gary Mikulec said Foster told the officers he was staying at 6905 Jack London Dr., in Johnston.
Statement from Pawlenty Exploratory Committee
“The Pawlenty for President Exploratory Committee today acknowledged that a 24-year-old employee, Ben Foster, was arrested on public intoxication and trespassing charges at approximately 3:30 a.m. by the Johnston (Iowa) Police Department.
“Foster issued the following statement: ‘Last night, I made a very serious mistake. I take full responsibility for my actions. I want to apologize to all affected by my poor judgment. I especially apologize to the people who were disturbed during the incident and the arresting officers. I give my word that it will never happen again.’
“Eric Woolson, speaking for the exploratory committee, said, “Governor Pawlenty is extremely disappointed in Ben’s actions and his behavior does not meet the standards he expects of his employees. Therefore, the committee is placing Ben on a two-week unpaid suspension and expects him to bear the legal consequences for his action.’”