As part of our continuing effort to bring local news that’s impactful to our readers, we’ve proactively reached out to the candidates running for the South Carolina Attorney General
We will not manipulate their answers in any way, we’ll simply provide to you, our readers. This will allow you to make an informed choice.
This week, we’ll introduce Richard Hricik
You work hard, play by the rules, and try to do right by others — but too often it feels like the law works differently for people with money, power, and connections than it does for you. I feel that too, and as someone who turned wrenches before he ever turned pages in a law book, I know feeling hungry and powerless. That’s why for three decades as an attorney, I’ve fought the powerful on behalf of ordinary people just like you when they were harmed by those powerful interests—and won for them. The Rule of Law must apply to everyone. Equally. It’s not “red” or “blue” it’s black and white. And you need a voice.
You have real worries about data centers, corporate polluters, utility rates, local government disclosure, and even Flock cameras, and whether or not they are following the rules and being held accountable. Know this: a permit is not a license to drain your water, create a public harm, or jack your utility rates (data centers should have their own rate class). And most folks don’t know, these are all exactly the kind of fights the AG should be involved in for you. Too often lately, the Office hasn’t done much for you. That’s about to change.
I’m running to bring your fights to the Attorney General’s office to take on ALL the bad guys for you—not just the criminals, because not all bad guys carry guns; some are dressed in corporate suits. I take no campaign donations — no PACs, no special interests, not even my own money beyond the filing fee — because when you owe no one, you can fight for everyone. That’s my promise to you.
The job of Attorney General is to be the CEO and managing partner of a roughly 400-person, 100-lawyer statewide law office with 7 divisions that is supposed to protect you, your wallet, and our land and water, no matter who is cheating you, hurting you, or polluting what’s ours. The job is not “State Solicitor.” South Carolina’s circuit solicitors handle virtually all the important day-to-day criminal prosecutions.
The word “General” is in the title because the office requires general legal knowledge of so many areas of law: constitutional law; utility and rate payer interests; consumer law; unfair trade and price fixing; environmental laws; corruption; U.S. Supreme Court experience; criminal appeals; and that’s not the whole list! There’s also very complex multi-million-dollar lawsuits against giant national corporate interests that have harmed you or SC where SC joins other States in those fights. There are also very select criminal cases, but only 246 cases were handled by the General and Special Prosecution Sections in 2025. (Alan Wilson is not trying the Alex Murdaugh case—staff attorneys do that work). The AG also provides support to improve law enforcement. Violent crime and fentanyl trafficking remain real threats, and the AG’s office has a genuine role: backing up local law enforcement and solicitors and of course I’ll do that, too. But those aren’t the only bad guys.
So why trust me? Don’t look at my words, look up my record and my credentials.
For 30-plus years, I’ve ethically and successfully delivered: fighting and winning for ordinary people against powerful corporations and, when I had to, against the government itself, in state and federal court, all the way to the United States Supreme Court. I’ve taken cases for the public good: expanding voter registration for those affected by Hurricane Helene and making public housing safer after people were killed when government didn’t follow the law. I held them accountable.
My credentials? I’ve worked since I was 13. Put myself through college at night. First in my family to graduate college. Before law school, I worked as an accountant at the then largest firm in the world, and I even did forensic accounting work. I can follow the money. I’ve built and run a small business from the ground up with efficiency, technology, and most importantly, ethically delivering results for my clients. Today I also teach constitutional civil rights litigation at two law schools. I’ve taken a case to the US Supreme Court. I’m appointed by the SC Supreme Court to assist in investigations of ethical complaints made against other attorneys.
Please re-read the list of what the AG’s Office does and think about your worries. I have the skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver for you as your managing partner. More importantly, I know who I am, where I came from, and who I fight for: people just like you who needed someone in their corner when they couldn’t fight back or get justice without me. That’s the actual job of Attorney General and I’ll fight for all of you—even if you don’t vote for me.
/s/ Richard Hricik
Candidate for Attorney General
Website: www.RichardForAttorneyGeneral.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590569136413
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
