Charlotte-area lobbyist and former lawmaker facing DUI charge in Charleston, SC

Jason Saine, a Raleigh lobbyist and former North Carolina lawmaker, was charged with driving under the influence in South Carolina on Sept. 8, according to online sheriff’s office records and a Charleston Police Department incident report.

The Lincolnton Republican, who was a powerful lawmaker and remains influential in Raleigh as a lobbyist, called it “an error in judgment.”

Saine, 51, was booked and released and awaits a court date on Nov. 21.

A Charleston police officer pulled Saine over shortly before midnight on Sept. 7 after seeing him driving the wrong way on one-way Coming Street, according to a police report obtained by McClatchy through a public records request.

Saine told the officer he had two vodka and soda mixed drinks at Marbled & Fin steakhouse, according to the report.

He was arrested after being given field sobriety tests, the report stated. His blood alcohol was later found by testing at the police department to be 0.14, the report stated.

Police issued Saine a written warning for driving the wrong way on a one-way street, the report said.

The officer’s body camera and dash camera were on during the incident, according to the police report.

A court docket for the City of Charleston Municipal Court says the DUI charge is a first offense. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content above 0.08.

Saine served in the House from 2011 to 2024. He was best known in his time at the General Assembly for being one of the top House budget writers and being the major driver behind legalizing sports betting in North Carolina, which drew bipartisan support. He resigned from the House in August 2024.

Saine told The News & Observer in July 2024 that it was “time to go” and that he planned on working in the private sector, leaving the door open to becoming a lobbyist.

Earlier in 2024, Saine and other Republican lawmakers faced questions about a distillery tour funded by free market group Greater Carolina, which was the subject of a progressive group’s ethics complaint filed with the Secretary of State.

Saine is a lobbyist with The Southern Group. His clients include the city of Charlotte, IBM, Charter Communications, Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas, Betson Gaming and the Sports Betting Alliance.

“Following a late evening dinner on that Sunday evening with friends, I did receive a traffic violation from the Charleston Police Department,” Saine told The News & Observer by phone on Monday, reading a statement.

“It was certainly an error in judgment on my part, especially for someone who has consistently used ride-sharing services. But I’m sorry that this event has distracted from real issues, and I’m grateful for the support of my friends and family,” Saine said.

Saine declined to comment further pending the outcome of his case.

While Saine left office more than a year ago, a sitting state lawmaker faces a driving while impaired charge in North Carolina.

Sen. Norman Sanderson, 74, was arrested this month and faces additional charges of having an open container of alcohol and failing to obey a traffic officer, The N&O previously reported.

In a statement after the incident near the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, Sanderson, an Arapahoe Republican, called it a “regrettable mistake, and I take responsibility for my actions.”