Pawlenty Campaign Staffer Arrested in Iowa

The very first Iowa staffer hired by Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty has been suspended without pay from the campaign after his arrest overnight.

24-year-old Ben Foster was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Department on charges of public intoxication and trespassing.

Des Moines television station KCCI reports Foster was arrested at about 3:00 a.m. Wednesday after a 15-year-old girl allegedly discovered Foster banging on the door of her Ankeny home.

Through the Pawlenty campaign, 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, a spokesman for Pawlenty's Iowa campaign says Foster is expected to "bear the consequences for his action."