Wilson, South Carolina’s longtime attorney general, won the open governor’s seat and will succeed Henry McMaster.
Alan Wilson, 53, has been South Carolina’s top lawyer since 2011 — four terms as attorney general. He is a colonel in the South Carolina National Guard and the adopted son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson. As attorney general he joined conservative legal fights over same-sex marriage, the Affordable Care Act, abortion law and pandemic rules, building a long record that defined his run.
He won a hard Republican primary runoff in June against Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, then defeated Democrat Jermaine Johnson in November. He takes office on January 13, 2027.
Wilson ran on law and order and low taxes, in a state Republicans have governed for more than two decades. Watch how a career courtroom fighter adjusts to running the whole government — and his first moves on South Carolina’s roads and schools.
Fast facts
- Age: 53
- Party: Republican
- Office: Governor of South Carolina
- State: South Carolina
- Previous job: South Carolina attorney general (since 2011)
- Called by AP: verified in the desk’s 1:30 a.m. ET check, Nov. 4
Part of the Zark News Election 2026 winners profile series. Winners are listed as called by the Associated Press.
