Lexington, SC, October 14, 2025

News Summary

Early voting for the primary election of South Carolina House District 88 has begun, running from October 6 to October 17. The Lexington County Voter Registration Office is the designated location. Candidates include Republican Brian Duncan and Democrat Chuck Hightower, with Election Day set for October 21. The election results will determine the new representative for this critical position following the resignation of RJ May due to legal issues. Key dates include a special election on December 23 and potential runoff voting in November.

Lexington

Early voting for the South Carolina House District 88 primary has officially commenced, running from October 6, 2025 to October 17, 2025. The designated early voting location is the Lexington County Voter Registration Office, located at 605 W. Main St, Lexington, SC 29072. Voting hours are set from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, with the office closed on weekends and state holidays.

Election Day for the primary is scheduled for October 21, 2025. The vacancy in this seat arose following the resignation of former representative RJ May in August 2025 after he faced federal child sex abuse charges, to which he later pleaded guilty.

Candidates in the Republican Primary

Competing in the Republican primary is Brian Duncan, a veteran of the South Carolina Air National Guard, small business owner, and lifelong resident of Lexington County. Duncan’s campaign emphasizes conservative leadership, focusing on critical issues such as road repair, increased law enforcement support, tax cuts, and the promotion of self-sustaining growth.

Democratic Candidate

The only Democratic candidate in this election is Chuck Hightower, who will contend against the Republican primary winner in a special election set for December 23, 2025.

Runoff Elections

If a runoff is required following the primary election, early voting for the runoff will take place from October 29 to 31, 2025, with the runoff Election Day occurring on November 4, 2025.

District Overview

Lexington County encompasses the areas of Lexington, South Congaree, Pine Ridge, and Gaston, all of which fall under District 88.

Election Context

This primary election comes at a crucial time for Lexington County, especially following the abrupt resignation of RJ May. The election will determine not only a new representative for House District 88 but also pave the way for leadership on important local issues. The outcome could significantly influence the future direction of policy in the community.

Key Dates to Remember

• Early Voting: October 6 – October 17, 2025
• Election Day for Primary: October 21, 2025
• Special Election: December 23, 2025
• Runoff Early Voting (if necessary): October 29 – October 31, 2025
• Runoff Election Day: November 4, 2025

Key Features Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the purpose of the primary election?

  The primary election is held to determine the candidates that will compete for the vacant House District 88 seat.

• When does early voting end?

  Early voting ends on October 17, 2025.

• Who are the candidates for the primary election?

  The Republican candidate is Brian Duncan, and the Democratic candidate is Chuck Hightower.

• What happens if a runoff is needed?

  If a runoff is required, early voting will take place from October 29-31, 2025, with runoff election day scheduled for November 4, 2025.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Early Voting Begins for South Carolina House District 88
Lexington County Set for Special Election to Fill Seat
Lexington County Gears Up for Competitive Local Elections
Lexington County Elections Feature Competitive Races
South Carolina Lawmakers Resign, Special Elections Ahead
South Carolina Representative Indicted on Child Abuse Charges
Keishan Scott Wins South Carolina House District 50
House Republicans Propose Major Cuts to Medicaid Funding

Additional Resources

• SW Lex Ledger
• Lexington Chronicle
• WISTV
• Post and Courier
• Lexington Chronicle
• Wikipedia: 2025 South Carolina elections
• Google Search: South Carolina House District 88 election
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
• Google News: Lexington County politics

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.