South Carolina state Attorney General Alan Wilson announces gubernatorial bid

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is the adopted son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the upcoming gubernatorial race in the Palmetto State. In a speech delivered on Monday, Wilson made some bold promises to the people of South Carolina, including the pledge to eliminate the state income tax.

“We’re going to deliver meaningful relief to hard-working people. We’re going to finally eliminate the state income tax,” Wilson declared. He also vowed to clean up South Carolina government from top to bottom, promising to root out waste, fraud, and abuse wherever it may be found.

Wilson’s announcement of his gubernatorial bid was met with some criticism from U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who has hinted at a possible run for governor herself. Mace accused Wilson of protecting pedophiles, a claim that was vehemently denied by Wilson’s spokesperson, Robert Kittle. Kittle pointed out that Wilson had prosecuted and put behind bars individuals who had sexually abused children during his time as an assistant attorney general.

In response to Mace’s attacks, Wilson took to social media to defend himself and his office, accusing Mace of spreading lies and misinformation for her own political gain. He emphasized the work that his office had done to prosecute offenders who obtained illegal images of children, making it clear that their objective was to indict, prosecute, and ensure these criminals were added to the Sex Offender Registry.

Mace, however, was not swayed by Wilson’s defense, describing it as a “very long-winded deflection full of excuses, half-truths, and lies.” The tension between the two potential gubernatorial candidates has added an interesting dynamic to the upcoming race in South Carolina.

Current Governor Henry McMaster, who is a Republican, is not eligible to seek another term in 2026 due to term limits. This opens up the field for new candidates like Wilson and potentially Mace to make their case to the voters of South Carolina.

As the gubernatorial race heats up in South Carolina, it will be interesting to see how Wilson’s promises of tax relief and government reform resonate with voters. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the battle for the governor’s mansion in the Palmetto State is sure to be a closely watched and hotly contested race.