Alan Wilson (South Carolina politician)

Wilson’s biological father, a Vietnam veteran, died in a training accident at Fort Bragg; he was raised by his adoptive father, Joe Wilson, a longtime U.S. representative.⁠[1][2]

He graduated from Grace Christian School, earned a bachelor’s degree from Francis Marion University in 1996 and graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2002.⁠[3]

After college Wilson joined the South Carolina National Guard in 1996, initially as a platoon leader. He deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II, earned the Combat Action Badge, later rose to the rank of colonel in the Army National Guard and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.⁠[3][4]

Wilson clerked for the late Judge Marc Westbrook. From October 2003 he spent about four years as an assistant solicitor in South Carolina’s 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office; from January 2007 to March 2009 he was an assistant attorney general, and he then practiced at the Columbia law firm Willoughby & Hoefer.⁠[1][3]

In the November 2, 2010, election Wilson defeated Democrat Matthew Richardson (44.2 percent) with 53.7 percent to become South Carolina’s 51st attorney general, taking office on January 12, 2011.⁠[3][1]

Wilson was re-elected three times: in 2014 with 60.3 percent against Parnell Diggs, in 2018 with 55.1 percent against Constance Anastopoulo and in 2022 with 97.3 percent. His term as attorney general ends on January 13, 2027.⁠[3]

Wilson has said that as attorney general he pushed for passage of an administrative subpoena bill to speed child predator investigations and quadrupled the size of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which he credits with more than 1,200 convictions; his office established and expanded the Human Trafficking Task Force, launched the Violent Crimes Case Reduction Unit, and he helped pass domestic violence law reforms and pursued judicial reform.⁠[1]

He has said he challenged the Joe Biden administration on immigration, gender issues in schools, COVID-19 mandates and religious liberty.⁠[1]

Governor Henry McMaster was term-limited, leaving the 2026 race open. In the June 9 Republican primary Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette received 28.9 percent and Wilson 26.1 percent, followed by Ralph Norman (17.1 percent), Rom Reddy (14.2 percent) and Nancy Mace (12.1 percent); Evette and Wilson advanced to a runoff.⁠[5][6]

On the Friday before the runoff Donald Trump said he endorsed both candidates; U.S. Senator Tim Scott then endorsed Wilson, and Norman and Mace also backed him. In the June 23 runoff Wilson defeated Evette 68.6 percent to 31.4 percent to win the Republican nomination; Mike Reichenbach was his running mate.⁠[2][6]

In the November 3 gubernatorial election Wilson defeated Democratic state Representative Jermaine Johnson. With all precincts reporting, Wilson received 1,050,190 votes (51.59 percent) and Johnson 959,001 (47.11 percent). The Associated Press projected Wilson as the winner, and his running mate, Mike Reichenbach, was elected lieutenant governor.⁠[7][8][6]

After the win he said, “This election is a turning point in South Carolina history.” During the campaign he said he would pursue eliminating the state income tax, overhauling infrastructure and judicial reform.⁠[7]

Alan Wilson for Governor (campaign): Official website: https://wilsonforsc.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[4]

X: Public account: https://x.com/agalanwilson (opens in a new window).⁠[4]