South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is heading into a high-stakes Republican runoff with a clear message: voters should judge him on results, not endorsements.
Wilson told Newsmax on Thursday that his 15-year track record as attorney general — and his experience as a 30-year combat veteran — set him apart from Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster.
The June 23 runoff follows a competitive Republican primary in which Evette emphasized her endorsement from President Donald Trump and her business background.
“First off, I’m a 30-year combat veteran who has led soldiers under hostile conditions. As attorney general, I’ve been responsible for overseeing the prosecution of thousands of violent criminals, child predators, Mexican drug cartels, corrupt officials.”
Wilson pointed to law enforcement backing as proof of his public safety credentials. Eighty percent of Republican sheriffs in South Carolina have endorsed him, he said.
He also highlighted his record of financial accountability: Wilson has recovered over $2 billion on behalf of the state during his tenure.
“When candidates are talking about cleaning up government, I’ve already demonstrated the ability to do just that,” Wilson said. “I’ve actually delivered results in South Carolina.”
Asked about the top voter concern, Wilson said affordability is dominating conversations across the state — rising housing costs, utility bills, groceries, and fuel.
Wilson’s economic platform centers on eliminating South Carolina’s state income tax, currently the highest in the Southeast.
“Eliminating the income tax is a major plank in my platform,” Wilson said. While crediting state lawmakers for beginning the process of reducing income taxes, he said he would accelerate those efforts by capping government spending growth to the rate of population growth.
“I think we can get there a little bit faster while controlling government spending,” he said.
Wilson made clear he’s not leaning on outside validation. “I’m not running on any special endorsements. I’m not running on other people’s accomplishments,” he said.
“I’m running on my record and my desire to make everything that I do as governor … make living in our state more affordable for South Carolina families.”
The Republican runoff is set for June 23.
