My duty, my mission, as a husband and father requires me to protect my family above all else. All parents strive to create a protected environment for their children while giving them the love, security and freedom to grow. That’s not just a personal mission for me; it’s the reason I have dedicated my life to public service, and why I am running to be South Carolina’s next governor.
Our country is being shattered by widespread violent crime, much of it fueled by social media echo chambers, dangerous and illicit drugs, human trafficking and online predators. In recent weeks, the world has witnessed two murders on social media, and many have recoiled at some of the responses and justifications for these violent acts: There was the assassination of my friend Charlie Kirk; and closer to home in Charlotte, young Iryna Zarutska was murdered on a public train as bystanders turned the other way. These are stark reminders that evil is real, and our leaders must speak out and act against it.
Throughout my career as attorney general, I’ve worked tirelessly to combat these types of threats. We’ve prosecuted violent criminals, fought dangerous drug cartels that have flooded our communities with fentanyl and other poison and combatted human trafficking and predators who prey on the most vulnerable. I’ve worked hand-in-hand with state and federal law enforcement to protect neighborhoods, and I’ve taken on Big Tech to fight against censorship and protect our kids.
As a 29-year combat veteran of the Army National Guard, I’ve proudly served our country here at home and overseas. In Iraq, I faced my own mortality, made life-and-death decisions and learned one lesson very clearly: Nothing matters more than our faith and protecting our families and values. Without strong law and order, communities can’t thrive, children can’t learn, and families can’t feel safe.
Yet there are, unfortunately, radical activists who want to undermine safety and seek to destroy our security. They’ve pushed to defund the police, promote divisive ideologies in the classroom and support lawlessness when it benefits their agenda. S.C. families deserve better. We need strong leaders, like President Donald Trump, who will boldly defend our core values and prioritize families without hesitation.
Now, more than ever, I believe we need to lead a renewed focus to protect families; it’s a cause we can’t afford to neglect. That’s why I’m committed to restoring law and order as the foundation of South Carolina’s future. As attorney general, I know what does and doesn’t work to crack down on crime, and we have made great strides. But we can do more.
I am committed to being your law-and-order governor. No more violent criminals back on the streets. No more slap on the wrists for fentanyl dealers and drug traffickers. No more business as usual.
S.C. families deserve a governor who will fight for them — someone who has dedicated his life to defending safety and security. Seventy-five percent of Republican sheriffs across the state have endorsed our campaign because they recognize not only will I support them, but I will also fight alongside them to keep South Carolina safe.
But this race isn’t about me: It’s about families. It’s about every South Carolinian who just wants to live in peace, make a living and praise God without fear.
As a husband, father and your attorney general, this fight is personal to me, and it will stay that way when I’m governor. Protecting families isn’t just part of the job — it’s the whole reason for the job.
Together, we will keep South Carolina safe, strong and secure for generations to come.
Alan Wilson is South Carolina’s attorney general and a Republican candidate for governor.