Stumbo and Hricik to Face Off for Attorney General
South Carolina voters will select a new attorney general on November 3 to replace incumbent Alan Wilson.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Elections
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David Stumbo and Richard Hricik are competing in the South Carolina attorney general election on November 3. The contest comes as current Attorney General Alan Wilson prepares to vacate the office to pursue a gubernatorial bid.
Why it matters
The race will determine the state's top legal official for the coming term. The candidates offer voters a clear contrast in campaign strategy and background, particularly regarding how they intend to fund their operations.
Stumbo reports $360,000 in cash on hand from $406,000 in total contributions, while Hricik enters the race with $85 in campaign cash and $0 in donations. Stumbo has served as a solicitor for 13 years, compared to Hricik's 30 years in private practice.
The players
David Stumbo
He is an elected solicitor who has served for 13 years in the Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry districts.
Richard Hricik
He is a civil litigator with over 30 years of legal experience and operates a private firm in Mount Pleasant.
Alan Wilson
He is the current Attorney General of South Carolina who is stepping down to campaign for the governor's office.
Henry McMaster
He is a prominent South Carolina politician who previously employed Stumbo within the attorney general's office.
The details
Stumbo, who previously served in the attorney general office under Alan Wilson and Henry McMaster, advanced to the general election after winning a primary run-off in June. His opponent, Richard Hricik, is a civil litigator based in Mount Pleasant who refuses campaign donations to maintain his independence from special interests.
Timeline
June 2026: Stumbo won the Republican primary run-off.
November 3, 2026: South Carolina general election for attorney general.
Political Context
This race highlights the deep divide between traditional campaign financing and anti-donation platforms within South Carolina's state-level attorney general election cycle. Opposition stakeholders often argue that relying solely on private funds creates a dependency that Hricik seeks to avoid.
The outcome will directly dictate the state's legal priorities, including how the office handles prosecutions and the death penalty. Residents will have the final say on which candidate's approach to the office and campaign funding they prefer at the ballot box.
The takeaway
Voters should review the stark difference in campaign funding approaches between the two candidates to understand their respective platform priorities. Both candidates support the death penalty, ensuring that this specific policy remains a consistent legal stance for the state.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming state contests, visit South Carolina Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post and Courier.
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