Attorney general announces run for governor of South Carolina: 'Beginning of a new fight'
LEXINGTON -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson officially announced his run for governor in the 2026 election.
Wilson was joined by his father, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), family, and friends at a packed Hudson's Smokehouse in Lexington on June 23, where he formally made his bid for the governor's mansion.
Speakers included sheriffs, a military friend, state agency leaders, and members of Wilson's family. They described him as "humble" and a champion for children's safety in a digital age.
"There is no one more worthy of your trust and respect in this office," Michael Wilson, Alan Wilson's son, said. "It is my highest honor to introduce the next Governor of South Carolina, my Father, Alan Wilson."
Wilson was first elected as South Carolina's attorney general in November 2010. He also served as chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association twice since 2013 and spent decades in the Army National Guard.
Wilson lauded expansions of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, abortion law restrictions, and a crackdown on human trafficking as his achievements as attorney general when he took the stage around 6 p.m.
"Today marks the beginning of a new fight," Wilson said at the campaign rally. "I'm ready to make that fight, to turn the page from what our state could be to what our state will soon be."
Several other South Carolinians have hinted at a run for governor in 2026, including State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, who also announced his campaign on June 23.
Gov. Henry McMaster will not be running for reelection because he has already served two full terms, in addition to two extra years, following the departure of former Gov. Nikki Haley, who left her position to join the Trump administration in 2017.
Other possible competitors include Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina), Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and State Rep. Jermaine Johnson (D-Richland).
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com.