BROOK PARK, Ohio -- Tom Coyne, the former mayor of Brook Park and the chairman of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, now faces a charge of drinking and driving.

NewsChannel5's Joe Pagonakis reported that Coyne (pictured, left) was pulled over nine days ago on Detroit Road in Westlake. If convicted, the DUI could have an effect on more than just his career behind the wheel.

"The hardest part of this whole situation was I had to call my mother and tell her," Coyne said.

Westlake police said Coyne was weaving on Detroit Road as he was trying to visit a friend at the Westfield Apartments.

The former mayor pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge, but Westlake police said that when he was pulled over in his 2002 Jaguar, he could not even recite the alphabet.

"If anything, it shows that Tom Coyne is a human being," he said. "If this turns out to be a mistake."

Meanwhile, Coyne continues to serve as chairman of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, although his parking spot at the board has been left vacant since his license has been suspended pending the outcome of the case.

But Coyne, who refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene, is taking the whole thing in stride. He is hoping the incident won't hurt his possible run for the congressional seat currently held by Dennis Kucinich.

"I hope they judge me by my public performance," he said. "I'm a big boy, (but it) seems to be the big news of the day."

A judge will hear Coyne's case in Rocky River Municipal Court. No date has yet been set.

Coyne said he is prepared to defend himself against the charges leveled against him by the Westlake police.