The Incident
Amy Tarkanian, the former Nevada Republican Party chairwoman and wife of Douglas County Commissioner Danny Tarkanian, was arrested for DUI in Florida after a car accident in April 2025. The arrest report shows she crashed into another vehicle at an apartment complex roadway in Bradenton, Florida.
The arrest happened on April 1, 2025, around 12:30 PM when Tarkanian crashed her gray SUV into a Honda CRV. The police report says a witness saw her slumped over the wheel and when he woke her up, she looked at him, took her foot off the brake, then accelerated into the parked vehicle.
The officer smelled a strong odor of alcohol from her person and noticed bloodshot, watery eyes. Tarkanian told police she had consumed 4 alcoholic drinks at approximately 11:00 A.M. at a different apartment within the complex.
When asked about White Claw hard seltzers found in her car, she stated someone else had the rest but would not say who, or give a description of them.
According to the arrest report, Tarkanian first stated they were not on medications, but later said she was on an anti-alcohol medication due to addiction.
Field Sobriety Tests and Breathalyzer Results, Arrest
The arrest report details how Tarkanian failed multiple field sobriety tests. During the horizontal gaze exercises, she continued to move their head and not follow the officer’s finger after instructed to several times.
On the walk and turn test, she failed to keep balance and moved from the starting position several times, starting too soon.
The one leg stand test had to be canceled for safety reasons because she raised their right foot, swayed, hopped, put their foot down a few times, and raised her arms over 6 inches.
Her breathalyzer test results showed a BAL of .278 on the first sample and .268 on the second sample. These readings are more than three times Florida’s legal limit of .08.
Tarkanian was transported to Manatee County Jail. During the ride, she asked if her friend, who is a judge, could get rid of “that” – referring to the DUI charges as that was what was being discussed.
While she was in the processing cell, the report alleges she would continuously knock/pound on the door. After being instructed on two separate occasion by two different deputies, then again by the arresting officer, she pounded again on the cell door.
The officers considered this behavior as being ‘disorderly’ and resulted in her being hand and ankle restrained.
Who Is Amy Tarkanian?
Amy Tarkanian is a well-known conservative political commentator who appears regularly on Fox News and other networks. She served as chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party briefly in 2011-2012, resigning after about eight months during her husband’s congressional campaign.
She has endorsed Democratic candidates in recent years, including Attorney General Aaron Ford and Treasurer Zach Conine, which sparked controversy in the Republican Party. These endorsements led to her being censured by the GOP and culminated in Tarkanian filing a defamation lawsuit against then-Nevada Republican Party Executive Director Alida Benson.
The Tarkanian Political Dynasty
Amy is married to Danny Tarkanian, who serves as Douglas County Commissioner in Nevada. Danny Tarkanian has run unsuccessfully for office six times before winning his current position, including campaigns for U.S. Senate and Congress.
Danny is the son of legendary UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, who led the Runnin’ Rebels to the 1990 national championship and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Jerry Tarkanian died in 2015 at age 84, and the floor at UNLV’s arena was named “Jerry Tarkanian Court” in his honor.
Past Controversies and Character Attacks
Amy Tarkanian has faced personal attacks from fellow Republicans over her political endorsements. In November 2022, former Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore called her “Miss Alcoholic” and a “panty dropper after two shots” at a Republican Party event. Fiore also called her an “alcoholic bimbo” and made other personal attacks.
Tarkanian responded to those comments saying “It was disappointing. It’s disgusting. But I was not shocked” and demanded an apology.
Prior DUI History
The arrest report notes this is not Tarkanian’s first DUI charge. She has a prior DUI from Las Vegas that involved having minors in the vehicle, in 2008.
A friend mentioned at the scene that Tarkanian has been in treatment before for alcohol addiction, has had vehicle keys taken away from her for periods of time, and drives intoxicated often.
Legal Proceedings
Tarkanian faces criminal charges in Florida. Tarkanian was charged with DUI – Property Damage, Failing to Carry Drivers License, and careless driving from the collision. She was held on $3,000 bond at the Manatee County Jail from April 1 to April 5.
The arrest could affect her television appearances and political commentary work. Her defamation lawsuit against Nevada Republican Party officials is still pending.
The legal process will determine the consequences of the charges. But the political damage may be harder to repair than any legal penalties she faces.
NN&V reached out to Tarkanian for comment and has not received a response at the time of publishing.
Read full arrest report, here: Amy Tarkanian DUI
Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
