John Thomas Lastinger | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South CarolinaHouseofRepresentatives from the 88th district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | RJ May |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Republican |
| Profession | Pastor |
John Thomas Lastinger is an American politician and pastor who is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 88th District since January 6,2026. He is a member of the Republican Party. [1]
Lastinger was born in Lexington County,South Carolina and has served as pastor of The Edge Church in Springdale,South Carolina for 47 years. [2] [3]
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, however, Lastinger has confirmed on several occasions that he is not affiliated with the caucus. [13]