Branstad says Iowa gaming commission will decide if Lamberti is chairman

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he will have no role in determining whether former state Sen. Jeff Lamberti becomes chairman of the commission that regulates gambling in Iowa.

Lamberti, who was arrested Friday on suspicion of drunken driving in Des Moines, was appointed to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission by Branstad in February 2011.

Branstad says the decision to name Lamberti chairman is up to the commission members.

Branstad says he'll talk with Lamberti about Friday's arrest. He says the former Senate Republican leader takes responsibility for his mistake, which Branstad says is an important step.

The arrest was at about 10 p.m. Friday. Police say tests showed a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit.

Lamberti, an attorney and businessman, served in the Iowa Senate from 1995 to 2006.