Copyright WIS10
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - Two Lexington County natives remain in the running for the Republican nomination for State House District 88. The district includes the southern half of Lexington County. There is a special election after ex-Rep. RJ May resigned in August. May was convicted of distributing child sexual abuse material. Voters will decide in a runoff on Tuesday between John Lastinger and Brian Duncan. Lastinger is a pastor, while Duncan is a business owner. The winner of this runoff will face the Democrat challenger J. Chuck Hightower. Lastinger has been a pastor for almost five decades. He was born in Lexington County and told WIS his desire to run for State House District 88 is fueled by his faith. “35 years God has been prepping me for this so we can see one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all,” said Lastinger. Lastinger has made his priorities clear; he intends to focus on the district’s roads, infrastructure, growth and advocating for the removal of certain literature from the state’s classrooms. He believes growth in the county has been driven by greed and hopes to work with local elected officials and the community to address it. “Well, I don’t get it. They build things and then try and fix getting to and from that area. That should’ve been part of the preemptive planning in the very beginning,” said Lastinger. Brian Duncan, a 20-year military veteran and father, believes the district is one of the fastest-growing parts of the county. While Duncan says growth is good, he believes it should pay for itself, wanting developers to play a role in the sustainability of the county’s infrastructure. “You have to have police, fire and medical to handle that and even more so importantly the schools and the schools are packed. No one wants to see 40-50 kids per teacher in the schools, and I don’t either,” said Duncan. Duncan said he’s focused on bringing representation back to District 88 and wants more funding, hoping to use those funds to support the area’s first responders, road widening and infrastructure. “Unfortunately, the past couple of years we’ve had no representation in House District 88, and what I plan to do is bring back our fair share of money back to the district so that we can help improve those roads and improve those infrastructures that are so desperately needed,” said Duncan. One issue dividing Republicans in South Carolina is on how restrictive the state’s abortion law should be. Some, including the governor, say the current law banning most abortions after six weeks, with exceptions for rape victims and fetal anomalies, should be left as it is. However, other Republicans are pushing for South Carolina to implement what would be the nation’s most restrictive abortion law, a total ban from conception with exceptions only allowed to save the mother’s life. It’s a debate that could resurface at the state house soon. WIS asked each candidate, if it came to a vote on the House floor if they would vote for a total ban. “Oh yes, if your definition of total ban is from conception on,” said Lastinger. While Duncan has a different view on the matter, saying, “What’s in place is a good resting spot”. May was the last person who held this seat until his federal indictment led to his suspension and then resignation this summer. Before that, May was most known as a founder and former leader of the ultra-conservative South Carolina Freedom Caucus, which frequently butts heads with Republican leadership in the State House of Representatives. WIS asked both candidates where they would align themselves. “I will not be joining the Freedom Caucus,” said Duncan. Lastinger said this has been a hot topic during his campaign, “I am not going to commit to any caucus at this time, I don’t want to. I want to get in, as a matter of fact, my first term in there, I may not join any caucus whatsoever.” Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
