Assessor’s candidate charged with DUI

A two-time candidate for Roane County property assessor has been charged over an alleged drunk-driving incident.
Kingston police arrested Steven Robinette Friday night.
He has been charged with DUI and violation of the implied consent law.
According to the arrest report, police responded to the city park area after a caller reported a silver truck had “run out of the road several times.”
“As I went in that direction there was a silver truck going west on Race Street that left the lane of travel both to the left of the center and off the right side,” Officer Jerry Singleton wrote. “... He continued to go until he pulled into the Smoke House parking lot.”
Singleton asked Robinette for his driver’s license, and he handed the officer his handgun carry permit, according to the report.
The officer also said Robinette admitted to drinking three glasses of wine and performed poorly on sobriety tests.
“I asked him to take a breathalyzer,” Singleton wrote. “He said he would. When we arrived at the jail he changed his mind and didn’t want to take it until he had talked to his attorney and refused to take anything.”
Robinette ran for property assessor in 2008 as an Independent and 2012 as a Republican.
The first time he lost to Teresa Kirkham.
 He finished third in this year’s race behind Kirkham and winner David Morgan.
Robinette, 39, is scheduled to appear in court for the drunk driving case on Feb. 11.

Photo Courtesy of the Roane County Sheriff's Office

Steven Robinette