Breaking News: Retired COL Joseph “Chuck” Hightower Files to Run in District 88 Special Election
- CUBNSC
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
By Javar Juarez | CUBNSC | September 5, 2025
Lexington County, SC — The race to fill the South Carolina House District 88 seat has taken a dramatic turn. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Joseph “Chuck” Hightower has officially filed to run in the special election, stepping into the same district once represented by disgraced former Rep. RJ May.
Hightower, a Democrat, a decorated Army veteran and respected community leader, brings with him an extensive résumé of military service, professional leadership, and civic engagement. His entry into the race is being described by local residents as a major development for a district that has historically been underrepresented in Columbia’s decision-making halls.
Chuck Hightower: A Distinguished Military and Professional Career
Hightower was commissioned into the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps in 1977 after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education from South Carolina State University. He went on to complete a Master’s in Public Administration at Troy State University and a Master’s in Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College.
Over a career spanning nearly three decades, Hightower served in leadership and clinical roles across the globe—from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to Berlin, Germany, and multiple combat deployments during Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom I & II. His commands included the 1st Medical Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas, and executive leadership roles at Moncrief Army Community Hospital in Columbia, SC.
His decorations include five Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, seven Meritorious Service Medals, and a host of distinguished honors, including induction into the Order of Military Medical Merit. Beyond his uniform, Hightower taught as an adjunct professor at Webster University, where he was named “Professor of the Year” three times, and served as Chief Operations Officer at Moncrief Army Community Hospital.
Community Roots and Civic Engagement
Raised in South Carolina, Hightower was among the early students to help integrate Keenan Junior High—later Keenan High School—an experience he has credited with shaping his lifelong commitment to fairness and opportunity.
Locally, he is deeply engaged in mentoring and education. At Turner Memorial AME Church, he teaches in the GED program and works closely with at-risk youth. “I’m concerned for the next generation,” Hightower said. “I want to see our children succeed and have a future where they can thrive.”
He previously ran for a seat on the Lexington Two School Board, further underscoring his commitment to education and community development.
Residents Speak Out: Rising Costs and Representation
District 88 residents say their concerns about the economy are front and center in this election. Several voters we spoke with said they supported Donald Trump in the last presidential election but are increasingly worried about the rising cost of living in Lexington County—from groceries to healthcare.
Many also expressed frustration at the lack of connection with former Rep. RJ May. “We never saw him, never met him,” one resident said. “We need someone who actually shows up.”
A New Chapter for District 88
For many voters, Hightower represents a break from the politics of neglect and scandal. His candidacy not only brings decades of military and professional leadership to the table but also the lived experience of a South Carolinian who has fought for representation, and opportunity since his youth.
As the District 88 special election heats up, Hightower’s blend of service, leadership, and local engagement could shift the landscape in a community hungry for authentic representation.
I worked as a GED volunteer with Chuck Hightower for a couple of years and can attest to his strong leadership skills, his deep commitment to our at risk youth, and his ability to communicate at the most positive, effective manner with these youth and with all the adults he collaborated with . Chuck is a hard worker as well as a "people person" who would listen intently to his constituents and their needs.