Part 1: Attorney General Alan Wilson's history, tackling the Opoid epidemic and immigration strategies
Attorney General Alan Wilson sits down for a one-on-one interview with our Bree Driscoll for the inaugural edition of In Focus South Carolina. He says his father was a dedicated public servant, and he grew up witness to that. He knew after college he wanted to do the same. He says he learned a lot about leadership while in the military. At 22-years-old, he was a young officer put in charge of a platoon. He says he wasn’t the smartest or the most experienced, but he had to leverage the talent in the platoon to accomplish the mission. That is something he carried over when he became the youngest attorney general in the state at age 37. When he took over the office, he knew others were more experienced, but again he had to leverage talents to accomplish things for South Carolina.
Another take-away from his military career. As a young leader he was told to be the last one to eat, the first one to wake up and the last one to go to sleep. He realized that leadership was not about perks and privileges, but rather servicing those individuals that you serve.
As Attorney General, Wilson says the influx of drugs is an issue that keeps him up at night. Specifically, fentanyl. He says over the last five years they have seized about 144 kilos of fentanyl. One Kilo can kill a half a million people. Wilson says he knows families that have lost children.
On Immigration he says he has a good working relationship with the administration. One thing the state is doing is getting local law enforcement signed up under the 287-G program. It allows local officers to perform certain immigration functions and take into custody potentially violent criminals.
Part 2: A tour of the Attorney General's office and Wilson's thoughts on DOGE, judicial reform and The Beachfront Management Act
State Attorney General Alan Wilson took us on a tour of his offices, including the hallway that features pictures of all of South Carolina’s Attorney Generals. During the tour he mentioned that he was elected at age 37, making him the youngest Attorney General at the time. Also, that he is now currently the longest serving.
During our sit-down interview the A-G discussed his relationship with the current administration. He says he’s known many of them for years, and that those positive relationships can help the state when something is needed. We talked about Doge. Wilson says he had the idea of Doge, before Doge was a thing. He said he would like to use the State Inspector General’s office to police government agencies and protect against fraud, waste and abuse. Imagine if local governments operated as if an investigator could walk in at any time to review the books. And those findings would be posted publicly. Those doing criminal things could be prosecuted, while others would be shamed into following the rules.
On Judicial reform Wilson would like to see the Governor have a seat at the table when it comes to nominating Judges. Currently the legislative branch i responsible for the selection process. Wilson says then the people of the state can hold the governor accountable for the judges that are seated.
Wilson discussed the Beachfront Management Act, which he says will protect private property owners from having their homes and land taken away after a natural event. Wilson recently wrote an Op Ed on the matter.
The AG also showed us some of his personal photos, including one where he met Ronald Reagan.
Part 3: Attorney General Alan Wilson's favorite things
State Attorney General Alan Wilson says he is considering a run for governor. It’s been 16 years since there hasn’t been an incumbent running. Wilson says he has loved being attorney general for the last 14 plus years. He called it a job of a lifetime. But he realizes that you can do things on a much broader scope as governor, and it is something he is discussing with his family.
Lightning round of questions to get to know him better. The last thing he read was “Basic Economics” by Thomas Sowell. Favorite book, anything written by Thomas Sowell who is his favorite economist. He also likes Milton Freidman and books about foreign policy. The last thing he watched or listened to was “Landman” with his wife. He is currently binge watching “Reacher” with his son. His Favorite sports team is the South Carolina Gamecocks. Wilson enjoys barbeque food, and vacations that include either the beach or the mountains. And when it comes to special talents, he can speak fluent pig Latin and can whistle loud.