Alan Wilson
South Carolina Attorney General and 2026 Republican gubernatorial candidate whose campaign was defined by a prolonged public feud with rival Nancy Mace.
Alan Wilson is the South Carolina Attorney General, serving in that office since 2011, and a candidate in the 2026 South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary to succeed term-limited Governor Henry McMaster.
What Happened
As both positioned for the 2026 governor's race, Wilson and Mace became chief antagonists, trading sharply personal attacks over the course of 2025.
May 10, 2025. Amid Mace's sustained criticism of his record as attorney general, Wilson pushed back publicly, saying: "I will not stand by and allow someone to lie about, not only me, but the dedicated men and women in my office." He added, "Enough is enough," and accused Mace of having "peddled lies and mistruths for her own political ambitions."
August 4-5, 2025. Mace formally announced her gubernatorial campaign, declining to seek re-election to her House seat and branding herself as "Trump in high heels." Within hours, Wilson gave an exclusive interview to Fox News Digital calling her out directly. "Mace has been ranting and raving for the last six months about running for governor without actually saying it," Wilson said. He also called her "a liar who will do anything to get attention to distract from her liberal voting record" and added, "I believe that you can be an agent of change and reform for our state without being an agent of chaos."
October 30, 2025. Mace was involved in a confrontation with police and TSA agents at Charleston International Airport. Multiple news outlets, including ABC News 4 (November 2025), reported she allegedly cursed at and berated officers. Wilson issued a statement: "Disrespecting the men and women who keep our airports safe is unacceptable. Law enforcement and TSA agents show up every day to protect the public, and right now they're not even getting paid. They deserve respect and appreciation. Not profanity. Not threats. Not tantrums." Mace denied the characterization, called it "an incredible hit job," and claimed Wilson was behind the negative coverage. Wilson called her claims "a categorical lie" and publicly described her as "an entitled, spoiled brat."
November 5, 2025. Mace named Wilson among the individuals she said she would sue for defamation over the release and handling of the airport police reports. As of June 2026, no such suit was filed.
December 9-10, 2025. The two candidates appeared on CNN on consecutive nights. Mace repeated her accusations; Wilson called them "delusional and crazy" and reiterated that he had not orchestrated the airport story against her. "I did not make her cuss out the men and women at the TSA," Wilson said.
June 9, 2026. In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Mace finished last in the field with approximately 11.6 percent of the vote and did not advance. Wilson and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette advanced to a June 23 runoff. Mace conceded the same night and endorsed Wilson, saying the two had "buried the hatchet."
Sources
- Fox News, GOP showdown: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson accuses Rep. Nancy Mace of 'ranting and raving' (August 5, 2025)
- FITSNews, 2026 Governor's Race: Alan Wilson Fires Back at Nancy Mace (May 10, 2025)
- Post and Courier, Nancy Mace and Alan Wilson take their feud national as SC governor's race intensifies (December 2025)
- Post and Courier, 'Enough is enough.' Alan Wilson fires back at Nancy Mace, signaling shift toward governor race bid (May 10, 2025)
- ABC News 4, Mace speaks out after Charleston airport incident, calls for 'immediate' action (November 2025)
- FITSNews, Poll Position: Alan Wilson Leads 2026 S.C. Governor's Race Entering Homestretch (June 5, 2026)
- Washington Examiner, Mace endorses Alan Wilson for South Carolina governor (June 10, 2026)
- Fox Carolina, Nancy Mace concedes SC governor race, endorses AG Alan Wilson (June 10, 2026)