John Lastinger
Republican | South Carolina
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Lastinger
Party
Republican
Election Year
2025
Election
Special Primary SD 12, HD 21, HD 88
Race
State House, District 88
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Glory land Bible Institute, Florence, SC, AA in Theology, 1979
Midlands Tech., Columbia, AA in Electronics, 1974
WORK & MILITARY
The Edge Church, pastor since 1978, Pastor
AFFILIATIONS
Several Religious organizations
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Signed the US Term Limits Pledge
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
None at all.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Disagree
I am strongly pro-life and do not believe in abortion on moral grounds. I support the Heartbeat Bill and am aware the Senate is considering stronger protections.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Churches should govern themselves, while government’s role is to protect the safety and freedom of churches to grow and serve the community.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Israel is a U.S. ally, and we stand by our allies and for freedom. As a believer in Judaism and according to God’s word, we are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We should do what we can to help secure their peace and prosperity.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Government should continue to ensure care for seniors and those who can’t care for themselves through programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Any healthcare regulation should focus on improving outcomes by lowering costs and raising quality, not taking over care. I wouldn’t put my own mom in a government-run facility, and I wouldn’t want anyone else in a place I wouldn’t put her.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
No vaccine requirements. Vaccines can be recommended, but never forced, and there should always be a waiver without government penalty, workplace consequences, or academic restrictions.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Minimum wage is where I started and is meant for entry-level work. From there, pay should increase based on merit and hard work, encouraging people to move beyond minimum-wage jobs.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
Funding should follow the child without any strings attached.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I fully support the Second Amendment. Felons are prohibited from owning firearms, and background checks help enforce this.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Choose not to answer
Thanks to the South Carolina Legislature, every public school now has funding for a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO), and we have almost filled all positions. I fully support this use of taxpayer funds to protect our children, who are our future. Private schools have the discretion to implement their own security measures, including hiring private security personnel, and I support them doing so as well.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government exists to protect people, uphold their rights, and create the conditions for individuals to pursue their ambitions and contribute to society responsibly.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God and in Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I believe in the Trinity, that Christ’s blood washes away sin, and in His second coming. I recognize the reality of Satan, who will ultimately be defeated. My values are shaped by Scripture and include God, family, country, love, and forgiveness. I value what God values, reflecting life, liberty, and the pursuit of fulfillment through our God-given gifts. Above all, I value life, people, and love. God’s light and love triumph over darkness, and He calls us to love one another as He loved us.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
We are the same beneath our skin. Harmful ideas can be passed down and encouraged by institutions, family members, and other influences, which should not happen. We must overcome these influences and ensure everyone is treated with fairness and dignity. God sees us all the same.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth. Reasonable environmental regulations can protect natural resources while maintaining jobs and economic strength. Balance is key, as preserving our environment and encouraging innovation go hand in hand.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear
