Wilson, Reichenbach lay out plans for gubernatorial audit initiative, Evette campaign responds
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Candidate for governor and Attorney General Alan Wilson is laying out plans for his choice for lieutenant governor Mike Reichenbach — should they win this November’s election.
At a press conference Tuesday morning, Wilson says he plans to give the role of lieutenant governor more “legislative statutory teeth” through independent performance audits of state agencies.
“This initiative shifts audits from damage control to early prevention of fraud waste and abuse. Problems will be identified and corrected before they grow costly or before they even occur. Government should prevent failure, not just document it after it happens,” says Wilson.
He and Reichenbach are calling the plan the “Families First Audit Initiative.”
“These independent performance audits will evaluate whether agencies are truly serving families and communities or becoming part of the bloated bureaucracy that spends recklessly with no return back to you the taxpayers,” says Reichenbach.
Currently, SC has three audit entities including the Legislative Audit Council, the Office of the State Inspector General, and the State Auditor.
Wilson plans to make Reichenbach the chair of the Families First Audit Initiative and synchronize those efforts.
“This audit initiative is going to identify and eliminate wasteful spending. It’s going to identify and eliminate abusive practices and policies that hurt SC families and SC businesses,” says Reichenbach.
During the press conference, Wilson said his intention is not to talk down about the role of lieutenant governor, but that it’s currently a part-time, ceremonial position.
ABC Columbia’s Lee Williams reached out to candidate for governor and current Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette’s team for comment on Wilson’s plans.
Her campaign responded with teeth of its own, with Campaign Manager Megan Finnern saying in regards to Wilson, “Tough talk coming from a career politician who has been repeatedly cited for ethics violations and who hasn’t been able to manage his own campaign finances. Would be great if he just could follow the current laws before he confuses himself with new ones.”
The election for governor will be held on November 3rd, 2026. Currently, other candidates include U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, Rep. Jermaine Johnson, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, Attorney Mullins McLeod, and Senator Josh Kimbrell.
