Here’s who GOP voters in Lexington County picked to run to replace RJ May
John Lastinger will be the Republican nominee to finish former state Rep. RJ May’s term in the state House, according to Tuesday’s unofficial runoff results.
Lastinger defeated Brian Duncan in Tuesday’s GOP runoff in House District 88 solely within Lexington County. Lastinger carried 1,370 votes for 52.43%. Duncan had 1,243 votes for 47.57%.
“We’re excited and ready to get to work,” Lastinger said in an interview Tuesday night. “I’ve had some great encouragement and phone calls and stuff. This is what I’m supposed to be doing, and I believe we’re going to make a difference and join with those who are already making a difference and be on that team.”
The Lexington County district is heavily Republican, but Lastinger still has to face Democratic nominee Joseph “Chuck” Hightower in a special election on Dec. 23. President Donald Trump won the district in 2024 by 35 points.
May’s seat opened up when he resigned in August. He has since pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing child pornography.
The race was one of the tests of how much support candidates backed by the hard-line conservative S.C. House Freedom Caucus has within heavily Republican districts. The caucus, which May helped create, has been at odds with the House GOP Caucus over tactics used by Freedom Caucus members.
And Tuesday’s result allows the Freedom Caucus to claim a victory.
During the abbreviated race for the nomination, Lastinger, who is the pastor of The Edge church, had the support of Freedom Caucus member state Rep. Jay Kilmartin. Lastinger told WIS-TV he did not know if he would join the Freedom Caucus.
“I hope I’ll fulfil my call and my post and be a good team player, but not one who will go with the flow if it’s not right,” Lastinger said.
Lastinger acknowledged he would have to be invited to the Freedom Caucus. Lastinger said he wants to visit with the Republican Caucus, the Freedom Caucus and the Family Caucus before deciding if he’ll join any group.
“They could have good ideas, but if they’re mean and nasty, I don’t want to be a part of that one,” Lastinger said. “I want to be part of something that’s going to bring healing and answers and solutions and be a blessing and work together with people.”
Duncan, a local business owner, was supported by House GOP caucus ahead of the runoff and was endorsed by Lorelei Graye who finished third in the primary.
Both Duncan and Lastinger previously ran for the seat.
