John Thomas Lastinger

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On August 11, 2025, Republican incumbent R.J. May issued a statement confirming his resignation from the District 88 seat. SC House Speaker Murrell Smith Jr. confirmed May's resignation and released a copy of his statement to the press.

Special election dates for the SC House District 88 seat set for filing opened August 29 and ended September 6; a Republican primary was held on October 21(no Democratic primary,with only one Democrat filing) and the special election on December 23, 2025. [4]

Republican Brian Duncan announced his run for the special election seat. [5] Others who filed along with Duncan: Lastinger, Lorelei Graye (Republican), Chuck Hightower (Democratic), and Darren Rogers Sr. (Republican). [6] [7] Duncan and Lastinger earned spots in the Republican Primary runoff, [8] with Lastinger the runoff winner. [9] Lastinger faced and defeated Democrat Chuck Hightower in December. [10] [11] [12]

Lastinger was endorsed by Rep. Jay Kilmartin, a member of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus. [13]

References

  1. ↑ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  2. ↑ Mueller, Julia (December 23, 2025). "Republican wins South Carolina state House special election". The Hill. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  3. ↑ Writer, Staff (2025-09-16). "John Lastinger announces candidacy for SC House District 88 Special Election". swlexledger. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  4. ↑ Catalano, John (2025-08-13). "State House District 88 Special Election". SC Votes - South Carolina Election Commission. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  5. ↑ "SC legislator charged with distributing videos of child sexual abuse resigns from jail". News From The States. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  6. ↑ Bustos, Joseph (September 8, 2025). "Who wants to finish RJ May's SC House term? Here's who filed in Lexington County". The State. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Midlands Special Election Candidates Share Visions for RJ May's District - FITSNews". 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  8. ↑ "Lastinger, Duncan head to runoff in Republican primary to replace ex-SC Rep. RJ May". WIS-TV. 2025-10-22. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  9. ↑ Schechter, Maayan (2025-11-05). "John Lastinger wins GOP runoff in race to replace ex-SC Rep. RJ May". South Carolina Public Radio. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  10. ↑ Staff (2025-12-08). "Early voting begins in SC House 88 special election". WIS-TV. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  11. ↑ "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  12. ↑ Kesler, Alex (24 December 2025). "Lastinger to replace former Rep. RJ May in District 88". WCIV .
  13. ↑ Holdman, Jessica (2025-11-05). "Midlands pastor likely to succeed ex-Rep. RJ May • SC Daily Gazette". SC Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2025-12-31.

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John Thomas Lastinger
Member of the South CarolinaHouseofRepresentatives
from the 88th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2026