John Thomas Lastinger

American politician

Preceded byRJ May

ProfessionPastor

John Thomas Lastinger

Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 88th district
Incumbent
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]

Political career

2025 SC House Special election

Main article: 2025 United States state legislative elections

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]

First term in office

Lastinger serves on the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee and on its Military and Veterans subcommittee.^[14]

References

↑ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
↑ Mueller, Julia (December 23, 2025). "Republican wins South Carolina state House special election". The Hill. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
↑ Writer, Staff (2025-09-16). "John Lastinger announces candidacy for SC House District 88 Special Election". swlexledger. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
↑ Catalano, John (2025-08-13). "State House District 88 Special Election". SC Votes - South Carolina Election Commission. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
↑ "SC legislator charged with distributing videos of child sexual abuse resigns from jail". News From The States. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
↑ 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.
↑ "Midlands Special Election Candidates Share Visions for RJ May's District - FITSNews". 2025-09-23. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
↑ "Lastinger, Duncan head to runoff in Republican primary to replace ex-SC Rep. RJ May". WIS-TV. 2025-10-22. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
↑ 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.
↑ Staff (2025-12-08). "Early voting begins in SC House 88 special election". WIS-TV. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
↑ "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
↑ Kesler, Alex (24 December 2025). "Lastinger to replace former Rep. RJ May in District 88". WCIV.
↑ Holdman, Jessica (2025-11-05). "Midlands pastor likely to succeed ex-Rep. RJ May • SC Daily Gazette". SC Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
↑ "Subcommittees" (PDF). South Carolina legislature. January 13, 2026. Retrieved March 27, 2026.

External links

Campaign website

2025 SC House Special election

First term in office

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