RJ May
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| name = RJ May
| image = RJ May by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption = May at the 2022 Hazlitt Summit hosted by Young Americans for Liberty Foundation
| state_house = South Carolina
| district = 88th
| term_start = November 9, 2020
| term_end =
| predecessor = McLain Toole
| successor =
| prior_term =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|10|18}}
| birth_place = Newport News, Virginia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| profession =
| spouse = {{marriage|Beth|May 7, 2016}}
| children = 2
| alma_mater = University of South Carolina (B.A.)
| party = Republican
}}
Robert J. May III is an American politician. He is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 88th District, serving since 2020. He is a member of the Republican party.{{cite web |title=South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1195454402 |website=www.scstatehouse.gov |access-date=January 18, 2021}}
Education and career
May received a BA degree from the University of South Carolina, and an International MA in Security and Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University.{{Cite web |title=R.J. May III |url=https://secdip.tau.ac.il/testimonials/Rj |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=secdip.tau.ac.il |language=en-US}} He has served as Executive Director of South Carolina Club for Growth, and is a political consultant.{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=RJ May |url=https://clubforgrowthfoundation.org/fellow/rj-may/ |access-date=October 31, 2024 |website=The Club for Growth Foundation}}
Political career
In 2021 May was elected as the Vice Chairman of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus."South Carolina House Conservatives Form Own Freedom Caucus". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved December 18, 2022. He also serves on the House Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee, and on its Environmental Affairs subcommittee.{{Cite web |title=South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1195454402 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=www.scstatehouse.gov}}
In December 2024 press reports, May is suspended from the South Carolina Freedom Caucus amid the ongoing investigation.{{Cite news |last=Wilder |first=Anna |date=December 12, 2024 |title=SC state Rep. RJ May suspended from Freedom Caucus amid federal criminal investigation |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article296962869.html |access-date=December 13, 2024 |work=The State Newspaper}}
Controversy
In August, 2024 May's house was searched in conjunction with an investigation into potential Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM), more commonly referred to as child pornography. The investigation is ongoing, and being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Special Investigations Unit (HSI) - along with support from the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).{{cite web |title=Investigation Involving South Carolina Lawmaker Focus On ‘Child Exploitation’ |url=https://www.fitsnews.com/2024/08/06/investigation-involving-south-carolina-lawmaker-focus-on-child-exploitation/ |website=www.fitnews.com |access-date=August 8, 2024}}
On October 24, 2024, a federal document was filed in US District Court for South Carolina with a motion to extend time to file judicial forfeiture action.{{Cite web |last=Kenmore |first=Abraham |date=2024-10-25 |title=SC Freedom Caucus leader could soon face federal charges, court filing confirms • SC Daily Gazette |url=https://scdailygazette.com/2024/10/25/sc-freedom-caucus-leader-had-numerous-electronics-seized-by-federal-officers-court-filing-confirms/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=SC Daily Gazette |language=en-US}} May faced a write-in candidate, Republican Brian Duncan, in his SC House race.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2024-10-22 |title=Brian Duncan launches write-in campaign for SC House District 88 amid serious allegations against incumbent RJ May |url=https://www.swlexledger.com/single-post/brian-duncan-launches-write-in-campaign-for-sc-house-district-88-amid-serious-allegations-against-in |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=swlexledger |language=en}}{{Cite web |author=A. O. L. Staff |date=2024-10-22 |title=Write-in candidate challenges SC Rep RJ May after his investigation by Homeland Security |url=https://www.aol.com/write-candidate-challenges-sc-rep-161359148.html |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US}} He was re-elected.{{Cite web |title=Election Night Reporting |url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/122436/web.345435/#/detail/28176 |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=www.enr-scvotes.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Nick |date=2024-12-03 |title=Embattled state Rep. RJ May shows up for first day of session months after federal raid |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/south-carolina-rj-may-investigation-federal/article_8501b30e-b1ab-11ef-a878-73085e0c2ddc.html |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=Post and Courier |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{South Carolina House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:May, RJ}}
Category:Republican Party members of the South Carolina House of Representatives
Category:Politicians from Newport News, Virginia
Category:Tel Aviv University alumni
Category:University of South Carolina alumni
Category:21st-century members of the South Carolina General Assembly
{{SouthCarolina-politician-stub}}