Lexington County, September 9, 2025
News Summary
Lexington County will hold a special election on December 23, 2025, to fill the vacant seat left by former Representative RJ May. Five candidates, four Republicans and one Democrat, have filed to compete in this pivotal race. Early voting for the Republican primary begins on October 6, 2025. The current political landscape shows a strong Republican influence, with Trump having received 67% of the vote in the last election. The election is significant due to May’s recent resignation amid serious legal issues.
Lexington County is set for a special election on December 23, 2025, to fill the unfinished term of former state Representative RJ May, who resigned following a federal indictment. Five candidates have officially filed to compete for the position, marking an important race in this predominantly Republican district.
The candidates entering the race are four Republicans including Brian Duncan, Lorelei Graye, John Lastinger, and Darren E. Rogers Sr., along with one Democrat, Joseph “Chuck” Hightower. The presence of multiple Republican candidates highlights the competitive nature of the primary election scheduled for October 21, 2025. Early voting for this crucial primary will occur between October 6 and October 17, 2025. Should no Republican receive a majority, a runoff election is set for November 4, 2025, followed by early voting from October 29 to October 31, 2025.
As for those who will participate in the general election, early voting for the special election will run from December 8 to December 19, 2025. Given that the district has shown a strong Republican lean, the candidate who emerges victorious from the GOP primary is expected to be favored in the general election.
In the November 2024 election, former President Donald Trump claimed a substantial 67% of the vote in this district, indicating a robust Republican voter base.
The backdrop to this special election is the indictment of RJ May, who stepped down from his position on August 7, 2025, facing serious legal charges related to distributing child sexual abuse material. The House Ethics Committee is expected to continue its investigation into May’s actions despite his resignation.
Among the candidates, Brian Duncan has previous experience in this race, having attempted to secure the position in 2020 and subsequently starting a write-in campaign against May in October 2024, coinciding with the surfacing of federal inquiries into May’s conduct. Lorelei Graye also brings experience, having participated in the June 2024 primary, where she was defeated by May.
John Lastinger, a pastor who previously sought this seat in 2020, is making another attempt to gain voters’ support. Darren E. Rogers Sr. serves on the Lexington County Mental Health Board and brings a different perspective to the race. Joseph “Chuck” Hightower, the only Democratic candidate, will be on the ballot come December 23.
During the November 2024 District 88 election, there were more than 1,100 recorded write-in votes, showcasing a level of discontent with the established candidates at that time.
The upcoming special election is significant for Lexington County, as it will help define the political landscape in the area, especially in light of the serious misconduct associated with the previous representative.
Key Dates for Lexington County Special Election
- Special Election Date: December 23, 2025
- Republican Primary: October 21, 2025
- Early Voting for Republican Primary: October 6-17, 2025
- Runoff Election (if necessary): November 4, 2025
- Early Voting for Runoff: October 29-31, 2025
- Early Voting for Special Election: December 8-19, 2025
Candidate Overview
| Candidate | Party | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Duncan | Republican | Previously ran in 2020; write-in campaign against May |
| Lorelei Graye | Republican | Lost to May in June 2024 primary |
| John Lastinger | Republican | Pastor; ran in 2020 |
| Darren E. Rogers Sr. | Republican | Member of Lexington County Mental Health Board |
| Joseph “Chuck” Hightower | Democrat | Only Democratic candidate for the seat |
FAQ
What prompted the special election in Lexington County?
The special election was called to fill the unfinished term of former Representative RJ May, who resigned following a federal indictment on charges related to distributing child sexual abuse material.
When is the special election scheduled?
The special election is set for December 23, 2025.
Who are the candidates running for this seat?
Five candidates have filed: Four Republicans—Brian Duncan, Lorelei Graye, John Lastinger, and Darren E. Rogers Sr.—and one Democrat, Joseph “Chuck” Hightower.
When will early voting take place?
Early voting for the special election will be available from December 8-19, 2025.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Kirk Jenkins Appointed as President and CEO of Lexington Health
Columbia Volunteers Engage in Community Service Projects
Lexington County Gears Up for Competitive Local Elections
Columbia, SC Welcomes Major Developments and Openings
Lexington County Elections Feature Competitive Races
Additional Resources
- The State: Special Election in Lexington County
- WIS TV: Date Set for Special Election
- Post and Courier: Lawmakers and Ethics
- WLTX: Lexington County Voting Information
- WRDW: Election Set for SC Lawmaker Replacement
- Wikipedia: Special Election
- Google Search: Lexington County Politics
- Google Scholar: Lexington County Lawmaker
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Politics
- Google News: Lexington County Election
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
