did not run for reelection as Attorney General, choosing instead to run for governor, as incumbent Mark Sanford was term limited. Wilson won the GOP nomination in a runoff election on June 22, 2010, receiving 60 percent of the vote against his opponent Leighton Lord. Wilson defeated Democratic Party candidate Matthew Richardson and Green Party candidate Leslie Minerd in the general election on November 2.
Investigation of campaign contributions
In 2013, Wilson self-reported his campaign failed to report least 84 contributions and expenditures on required public reports. In February 2013, Wilson originally admitted his campaign failed to disclose and report receiving at least 15 separate contributions of unknown amounts. A further investigation completed in March 2013 revealed at least 68 unreported contributions and 16 unreported expenditures. As the errors were self reported and the reports were subsequently re-filed, Wilson faced no penalties.
Zombie voters controversy
On January 12, 2012, Wilson falsely claimed on Fox News that "We found out that there were over 900 people who died and then subsequently voted. That number could be even higher than that." The Washington Post investigated this and similar claims, finding that the "State Law Enforcement Division conducted an extensive probe, which was completed May 11, 2012. But the final report was just made public this month after a 13-month review by Wilson’s office" and concluding that Wilson "hyped these charges into certified "facts", even before any real investigation had taken place. Indeed, the minuscule percentage of alleged dead votes, out of the number cast, should have urged caution. Instead, he went straight to the television cameras—and then his office for months bottled up the report that revealed not a single claim was true." The Washington Post awarded Wilson's claim "Four Pinocchios."
Same-sex marriage
In October 2014, Wilson, defending state law asked the Supreme Court of South Carolina to intervene to stop same-sex marriage licenses from being issued in South Carolina after the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling striking down state bans on same-sex marriage. The 4th Circuit has jurisdiction over South Carolina.
In January 2019, Wilson described marijuana as "the most dangerous drug, because it is the most misunderstood drug" in the United States while denouncing legislation that would allow physicians to prescribe medical marijuana for patients. In 2019, Attorneys General from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and all four U.S. territories were urged by NAAG to support a bill, the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, which would permit marijuana-related businesses in states and territories to use the banking system. The bill would facilitate collection of taxes levied on the $8.3 billion industry, reduce the danger of operating cash-only businesses and more effectively monitor the industry. Wilson and 16 other A.G.s did not support the measure.
Personal life
Wilson and his wife, Jennifer, have two children.
Military service
Wilson joined the South Carolina National Guard in 1996, and has received the Combat Action Badge for service in Iraq.
