MADISON, Wis. -- The chair of a special ethics committee considering whether to expel a state lawmaker arrested three times for driving under the influence said there's not enough support to remove him from the Legislature.

State Rep. Mary Hubler, D-Rice Lake, told reporters on Tuesday that supporters of the plan to expel embattled Rep. Jeff Wood failed to make a solid case. She said Wood is contesting driving under the influence charges in two of the cases, and it would be a "huge embarrassment" if the charges were dismissed after he was expelled.

Hubler said she might be open to other resolutions to reprimand or censure Wood. She spoke after the committee heard testimony from Rep. Steve Nass, who said Wood should be expelled for his repeated dangerous driving and bad judgment.

Speaking to the committee on Tuesday, Nass said Wood is refusing to take responsibility for his three arrests. He said that Wood has blown his second chances and "failed to honor the moral code we must all follow in a free society."

"This is not a courtroom. We're not here to decide innocence and guilt. We're here to decide whether the behavior and conduct is outside the bounds of a legislator," Nass said.

He said Wood is "playing the victim card" rather than owning up to his dangerous behavior.

Nass introduced the resolution to expel Wood from the Assembly. He didn't attend a prior hearing held earlier this month to weigh Wood's fate.

Wood's attorney has argued that lawmakers don't have the power to discipline members for behavior that occurs outside the state Capitol, but Nass called that argument insulting.

A vote on a possible censure or reprimand hasn't been scheduled, WISC-TV reported.