COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has won the state’s gubernatorial race, according to the Associated Press.
The race was called at 12:35 a.m. and Wilson received more than 51% of the vote, while his opponent Rep. Jermaine Johnson earned 47%.
“Tonight, I am deeply humbled and grateful for the trust the people of South Carolina have placed in me,” said Wilson. “This victory belongs to the hardworking South Carolinians who believe in a brighter future for our state. To my family, Senator Mike Reichenbach, our incredible campaign team, volunteers, and supporters, thank you for making this possible. We’ve traveled every corner of South Carolina, listened to families, and shared a vision for a state that is more affordable, safer, and full of opportunity. Now it’s time to turn that vision into action, bring our state together, and deliver the results South Carolinians deserve. The campaign may be over, but our work is just beginning. God bless South Carolina.”
Wilson, who has served as South Carolina’s attorney general since 2011, campaigned on making the state more affordable, reducing government spending, strengthening public safety and expanding educational opportunities.
His victory marks a transition from more than 15 years as the state’s top prosecutor to the state’s highest elected executive office. Wilson will succeed Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who is term-limited.
Who is Alan Wilson?
Wilson, 53, is a lifelong South Carolinian who was born in West Columbia. He is the adopted son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, who represents South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Francis Marion University in 1996 before graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2002.
Before becoming attorney general, Wilson worked as an assistant solicitor, assistant attorney general and private-practice attorney.
Wilson was first elected South Carolina’s 51st attorney general in 2010, becoming the youngest person in the country to hold the position at the time. Voters reelected him in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
In that role, Wilson has served as the state’s chief prosecutor and chief legal counsel, overseeing an office responsible for criminal prosecutions, legal representation of state agencies and consumer protection matters.
His tenure has included efforts to combat human trafficking and online child exploitation, as well as legal challenges involving federal regulations, immigration policy and election laws.
Wilson also has a military background. He joined the South Carolina Army National Guard after graduating from college and deployed to Iraq, where he earned the Combat Action Badge. He currently holds the rank of colonel.
What are Wilson’s priorities as governor?
Throughout his campaign, Wilson identified affordability as a central priority, pledging to reduce the financial pressures facing South Carolina families while encouraging business growth.
One of his major proposals is gradually eliminating South Carolina’s individual income tax. He has also called for property tax relief for seniors and veterans, reducing government regulations and limiting unnecessary government spending.
Other priorities outlined during his campaign include:
- Public safety: Strengthening penalties for violent offenders and fentanyl trafficking while supporting law enforcement agencies.
- Education: Fully funding public schools, expanding school choice, improving early childhood literacy and strengthening technical and vocational education.
- Healthcare: Supporting rural health clinics, expanding telemedicine and encouraging more healthcare professionals to serve underserved communities.
- Infrastructure: Improving roads and bridges, modernizing the Department of Transportation and addressing transportation needs as South Carolina’s population grows.
- Immigration: Strengthening immigration enforcement and supporting cooperation between state and federal authorities.
- Constitutional protections: Supporting Second Amendment rights, religious liberty and conservative judicial principles.
Wilson has also emphasized his opposition to federal government overreach and his support for President Donald Trump’s America First agenda.
Who is Wilson’s running mate?
Wilson selected Republican state Sen. Mike Reichenbach of Florence as his running mate in January 2026.
Reichenbach, 54, was first elected to the South Carolina Senate in 2022, representing the Florence-area 31st District. He is a businessman who owns automotive dealerships in Florence and Bluffton.
An Ohio native, Reichenbach earned an accounting degree from Bowling Green State University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Before entering the automotive business, he worked for Ford Motor Company.
He also brings a background in law enforcement, having served more than 20 years as a commissioned officer, including as a state constable and a game warden with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Wilson described Reichenbach as a conservative leader with business experience and a record of public service when announcing his selection.
The two also campaigned on giving the lieutenant governor a more active role in government oversight through the proposed Families First Audit Initiative.
What’s next?
Wilson’s victory sets the stage for a new Republican administration in South Carolina beginning in January 2027.
His ability to advance his campaign agenda will depend in large part on working with the South Carolina General Assembly, particularly on proposals involving income tax elimination, government spending and education policy.