By PSA Newsroom Staff
As South Carolina prepares for an open Attorney General’s race in 2026, voters are being asked to weigh not just résumés, but philosophies on justice, public safety, and the role of state government. With longtime Attorney General Alan Wilson opting not to seek re-election, three Republican candidates have stepped forward, each bringing a different path to the race: two career prosecutors and a sitting state senator with legal and military experience.
While all three candidates share a common party affiliation, their backgrounds, priorities, and approaches to the job differ in notable ways.
David Pascoe
Current Position: Solicitor, First Judicial Circuit (Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties)
Political Affiliation: Republican (formerly a Democrat; changed party affiliation prior to entering the Attorney General race)
Education and Background: Pascoe is a graduate of The Citadel and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He has served as a circuit solicitor since 2005 and has spent his career as a courtroom prosecutor.
Notable Record:
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- Oversees prosecution of violent crime, narcotics cases, and major felonies within his circuit.
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- Led multiple public corruption investigations involving members of the General Assembly, resulting in convictions.
Stated Campaign Priorities:
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- Aggressively prosecuting violent offenders and drug traffickers
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- Strengthening protections for children and crime victims
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- Addressing public corruption and restoring trust in government
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- Supporting law enforcement agencies statewide
Strengths:
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- Extensive hands-on prosecutorial and trial experience
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- Proven record handling complex and politically sensitive cases
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- Reputation for independence in decision-making
Considerations for Voters:
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- Recent party switch may raise questions for some Republican primary voters
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- Career experience largely concentrated within one judicial circuit rather than statewide administration
David Stumbo
Current Position: Solicitor, Eighth Judicial Circuit (Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry counties)
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education and Background: Stumbo is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. He has served as a prosecutor for more than a decade and previously worked as an Assistant Attorney General.
Notable Record:
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- Elected solicitor in 2012 and subsequently re-elected
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- Has overseen felony prosecutions and community-based public safety initiatives
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- Has received endorsements from law enforcement officials and prosecutors
Stated Campaign Priorities:
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- Supporting law enforcement and victims of crime
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- Upholding constitutional principles and conservative legal values
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- Emphasizing public safety and accountability within the justice system
Strengths:
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- Longstanding prosecutorial experience
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- Consistent conservative message aligned with Republican primary voters
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- Support from members of the law enforcement community
Considerations for Voters:
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- Lower statewide name recognition compared to other candidates
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- Campaign messaging closely aligns with traditional conservative themes, with fewer high-profile statewide initiatives
Stephen Goldfinch
Current Position: South Carolina State Senator, District 34 (previously served in the House of Representatives)
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education and Background: Goldfinch is a graduate of The Citadel and Charleston School of Law. He is a practicing attorney and serves as a captain in the South Carolina Army National Guard, where he works as a Judge Advocate.
Notable Record:
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- Multiple terms in the General Assembly with service on key committees
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- Experience crafting and voting on state law rather than serving as a career prosecutor
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- Early entry into the Attorney General race
Role in State Treasurer Controversy:
In 2024 and 2025, Goldfinch was among legislators who pressed for hearings and accountability following the discovery of a multibillion-dollar accounting discrepancy in state financial records. During those proceedings, State Treasurer Curtis Loftis publicly characterized the investigation as a “witch hunt,” while Goldfinch and other lawmakers stated their actions were intended to ensure transparency and fiscal accountability. No criminal charges resulted from the legislative inquiry.
Stated Campaign Priorities:
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- Combating violent crime and drug trafficking
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- Challenging federal overreach through state legal action
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- Defending Second Amendment rights and conservative constitutional interpretations
Strengths:
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- Legislative and military legal experience
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- Familiarity with state lawmaking and intergovernmental legal disputes
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- Broader statewide exposure as an elected official
Considerations for Voters:
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- Limited direct experience prosecuting criminal cases in court
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- Legislative involvement in the treasurer inquiry remains politically polarizing, depending on voter perspective
Election Context
All three candidates are seeking the Republican nomination in what is expected to be the decisive contest for South Carolina Attorney General in 2026. The seat is open following the decision by current Attorney General Alan Wilson to run for governor.
For more information on these candidates:
https://www.goldfinchforag.com
Disclaimer:
The views, information, and content published by PSA Newsroom regarding political candidates are provided for informational purposes only. Coverage of any candidate, campaign, or public official is not intended to constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or opposition by PSA Newsroom, its editors, contributors, or affiliates. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own independent research and evaluation when considering candidates and issues.
