Florence police charged Austin Smith, 20, with Minor Consumption of Alcohol and Hindering a Police Investigation, Sunday night.
He is a democratic candidate for South Carolina House Seat 63 in Florence.
Major Carlos Raines says an officer found Smith walking in the woods near Landmark Woods Apartments on Cherokee Road in Florence.
Raines says Smith wanted to file an assault charge against a woman who he says threw a beer can at him.
When the officer questioned Smith, Major Raines says he refused to answer questions and told the officer his questions weren't important.
Raines says Smith smelled of alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot and his speech was slurred.
He has been released from jail.
