Sen. Josh Miller enters no-contest plea to vandalism charge. Here's what happened.

WARWICK – State Sen. Joshua Miller on Tuesday entered a plea of no contest in District Court to misdemeanor charges of vandalism and obstructing a police officer stemming from an incident last month in which police said he keyed an SUV with a "Biden Sucks" bumper sticker parked in Cranston's Garden City Center parking lot, saying he thought the driver was one of the "gun nuts" who he says stalk him.

As part of the plea, Miller was ordered to pay restitution to the victim related to the malicious damage to property charge amounting to $2,850, which the court says he has done. He was also ordered to donate $250 to the Rhode Island Food Bank as restitution related to his obstruction charge, a levy, also already paid.

Speaking outside the Kent County courthouse afterward, Miller, who is 69 and has no previous criminal history, said he was taking full responsibility for what happened – but gave no reason for why it happened.

“I’m disappointed in my behavior and lack of judgment. In a blink of an eye, I exhibited a lack of self-control that has impacted my reputation," he said.

“To my constituents, supporters, and Senate colleagues, I apologize for my actions. Mostly importantly to those directly impacted by my conduct, I offer my sincere apologies. All I can ask is that I be judged on how I have comported myself throughout my life as a husband, father, business owner, employer and public servant.”

Will Miller step down from the legislature?

Miller said he had no intention of stepping down from any of his legislative roles “at this point" but wanted to talk first to his constituents and Senate colleagues before being certain of his next move.

Miller won immediate support from Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio.

In a statement, Ruggerio said Miller "is a dedicated and passionate public servant. As the longtime chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, he has helped navigate some of the most complex areas of government, enacting legislation that greatly improves access to health care, addresses the opioid-overdose crisis and provides a robust social-services safety net. He consistently has been a powerful and effective advocate for the least fortunate in our society."

While Miller’s actions on June 22 were "deeply regrettable," Ruggerio said, "I don’t believe that any one of us would want to be judged solely upon our worst moments."

With Miller's plea of no contest or "nolo contendere," the charges will stay on his record for one year and then be expunged if he stays out of trouble with the law.

Why was Sen. Josh Miller arrested?

The Cranston police released a police report and body-camera video showing them talking to Miller on June 22 in the parking lot and at his home.

Miller reportedly initially denied the incident, then said he believed the car belonged to one of the "gun nuts" he said stalk and threaten him because of his work at the State House. He said he believed the owner of the car had referred to him by name and that he felt threatened, according to the arrest report.

Miller had no comment Tuesday when asked to elaborate on the "gun nuts" he referred to.

Miller later reportedly said he scratched the SUV with a key "because he was daring me to, basically." Police reviewed video surveillance from several stores in the shopping center during the investigation, Police Chief Michael Winquist said previously.

A "Re-elect Miller" bumper sticker on Miller's car, which was parked next to the damaged vehicle, helped the driver of the SUV identify him, police said. The police also released photos of the damaged vehicle – a black Nissan Pathfinder with a "Biden Sucks" bumper sticker.

Miller, who owns multiple Providence restaurants, was first elected to the Senate in November 2006 and has been "particularly active in health care reform efforts, as well as environmental initiatives," according to his biography on the General Assembly's website.

The state’s Republican Party has called on the liberal Democrat to resign.

"Unfortunately, this is not the first time the senator has retaliated against someone he disagrees with politically,” Chairman Joe Powers said in an earlier released statement “Whether it’s verbal attacks or, in this case, damage to personal property, Miller has shown disregard for anyone [who] is not aligned with his own party.”

Said Ruggerio in his statement: "Because of his long record of service, because he has taken responsibility for his actions, and because the events of that day had nothing to do with his responsibilities in the Senate or his position as a state senator, we are putting this incident behind us and moving forward. Like all of us who hold elected office, Sen. Miller will ultimately answer to his constituents."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Sen. Josh Miller in court over keying car with 'Biden sucks' sticker