Boise, Idaho » A Democratic senator from Pocatello arrested in early December after police say he drove drunk has been named to a leadership post.

Sen. Edgar Malepeai (MAL'-uh-p-i) was chosen by his Senate party mates as minority caucus chair, a post he had occupied since 2004 but vacated during the two-year leave he took from serving to care for his sick wife.

Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly, a Boise Democrat, says the DUI arrest was discussed, but that her Democratic colleagues decided Malepeai deserved the leadership post due to his respect and stature among lawmakers from both parties.

Kelly said, "It far outweighed this recent issue" and added Boise Sen. Les Bock, who had been minority caucus chair, supported the move.

Malepeai missed two sessions to care for his ailing wife, Brenda Bertsch Malepeai, who died March 31.

He has pleaded not guilty after his Dec. 3 arrest in Boise. A jury trial is set for Feb. 18.