South Carolina’s state House District 88 just welcomed a new conservative champion with the election of Republican John Lastinger in a special vote that’s got Lexington County buzzing.
In a nutshell, Lastinger, a pastor with a firm conservative stance, clinched the seat left empty by disgraced ex-Rep. RJ May, defeating Democrat Joseph “Chuck” Hightower to represent this staunchly red area until the term wraps up next fall, The Hill reported.
For the hardworking taxpayers of Lexington County, this election isn’t just a name on a ballot—it’s about restoring trust in a district rocked by scandal, with the potential financial burden of ongoing legal battles tied to May’s case still looming as a reminder of accountability.
Let’s rewind to how we got here: RJ May, the former representative, resigned in August 2024 after being charged with distributing child sexual abuse material, a crime that shook the community to its core.
May pleaded guilty to five counts this fall, as confirmed by documents from the U.S. attorney’s office for the District of South Carolina, and now faces serious prison time with sentencing set for January 2025.
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling didn’t mince words, calling May’s actions “some of the most depraved and exploitative conduct we investigate,” a statement that hits like a gut punch and reminds us why thorough investigations must never be sidestepped, no matter who’s in the hot seat.
Stirling’s comment isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a call to action for conservatives who believe in law and order to ensure such betrayals of public trust are met with unrelenting scrutiny, not swept under the rug by progressive excuses.
Even the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, which May helped establish, didn’t hold back, labeling this an “ugly chapter” for the state chamber while lamenting that the House didn’t expel him before he resigned.
That critique from the Freedom Caucus stings with truth—why wait for a resignation when justice demands swift ejection of those who tarnish public office, especially on issues as grave as this?
Enter John Lastinger, a pastor who narrowly won the GOP primary earlier this year and pitched himself as the antidote to such moral failings with a platform rooted in Christian values, anti-abortion stances, and fierce defense of Second Amendment rights.
Lastinger’s victory over Hightower, a retired Army colonel running as the Democrat, wasn’t just a win for the GOP—it’s a signal that Lexington County voters crave a return to traditional principles over experimental social policies.
But let’s not pop the champagne just yet; Lastinger’s term only lasts until November 2025, and if he wants a full stint, he’ll need to file for the midterm race in the spring of next year.
For now, District 88 has a new voice, one that promises to steer clear of the woke agenda and focus on the bread-and-butter issues that matter to everyday South Carolinians, from gun rights to protecting the unborn.
Yet the shadow of May’s actions lingers, and conservatives in the district must remain vigilant—public office isn’t a free pass, and every elected official should face the same hard-nosed accountability we demand of any citizen.
So, as Lastinger steps into this role, let’s hope he remembers that representing a reliably red area like Lexington County isn’t just a privilege—it’s a mandate to uphold the values that got him elected, without a whiff of compromise to trendy, left-leaning ideals.
