COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Democratic attorney general candidate Matthew Richardson's campaign says it has $325,000 in cash on hand. Richardson thinks he's well positioned to win the statewide office this November despite still having low name recognition among voters.
Richardson faced no opponent in the primary. Meanwhile, his Republican challenger Alan Wilson beat out two opponents in a hard-fought primary. That primary battle got Wilson a lot of media coverage, but also drained his campaign account. Wilson emerged from the primary in debt, although the campaign points out they've raised nearly $500,000 this year and expect to continue raising money.
Richardson says he has raised more money in his first three months than Republican nominee Alan Wilson raised in a year. $50,000 of Richardson's support came from a single donation from the state Democratic Party.
With the race now settled, the Democratic nominee says he'e now ready to step out of the shadows.
Richardson is a Barnwell native, and a father of three. He cut his teeth as a law clerk in the state's appellate court system before getting into private practice.
"I fought for a decade now, on behalf of teachers, truck drivers and consumers," says Richardson. "One of the most important areas of the attorney general is hearing all the appeals from solicitors across the state."
The Wilson campaign points out Richardson has never been a prosecutor. Richardson concedes Wilson has more law enforcement experience, but he says being an effective Attorney General is about more than arguing cases.
"I've got a deep understanding and respect for the rule of law and I think that's what the people of South Carolina will ultimately choose in their attorney general," said Richardson.
A Democrat hasn't served as South Carolina's top cop since Travis Medlock held the office from 1983 to 1995. Richardson and Wilson are vying to replace two-term Attorney General Henry McMaster who lost his Republican gubernatorial primary bid.
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