Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wilson to run for attorney general:
Congressman’s son, a former assistant in AG’s office, also served in Iraq war

Alan Wilson, a former Lexington County assistant solicitor and state assistant attorney general, announced Monday he will seek the Republican nomination for attorney general in 2010.

Wilson, the son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, and the married father of one, is a veteran of the Iraq war who said he will emphasize protecting state families by prosecuting fraud, gangs and other predators and protecting state resources, such as water.

Wilson will spend the week campaigning in the Upstate, Pee Dee and attend the Summerville-Irmo football game Friday.

“The highest calling of public service is to keep our families safe,” Wilson said. “It is essential for us to have an attorney general that has seen evil up close and knows what it is capable of.”

S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, a Republican who is at the end of his second term, is running for governor.

So far, Wilson is the only candidate who has filed documents with the S.C. Ethics Commission to raise money to run for attorney general.

But there are other interested candidates expected to join the field. The S.C. primary is in June.

— John O’Connor