David Pascoe

First Circuit Solicitor | Fighting crime and corruption in South Carolina

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

When a Freshman Senator had the Guts to Call Out an Alleged Bribe in Public Only to be Muted and Have Everyone Look Away

Last year, something happened on the floor of the South Carolina Senate that should have stopped everything.

A freshman firebrand state senator said a hidden truth out loud. I was not surprised that the senator from Berkeley County had the courage to speak the truth and call out at the very least questionable unethical behavior. After all, he is a lawyer legislator who has stood up to the establishment to fight for judicial reform putting his money where his mouth is by not voting in judicial elections. We need more in the General Assembly with his integrity.
So I was unsurprised when he stood up during session and said, plainly and on camera, that he had been offered between $50,000 and $100,000 by a lobbyist group for his campaign account if he would vote against tort reform. He didn’t say it in private. He didn’t say it anonymously. He said it out loud, in the Senate chamber, where laws are supposed to be made in the open.
Anyone who believes in the rule of law should have had the same reaction I did: how is that not immediately investigated?

What followed was just as telling as the allegation itself. The President of the Senate visibly lost control of the moment. He struggled to respond. When he finally did, he didn’t ask questions or refer the matter to law enforcement. He adjourned the Senate.

They disappeared for two hours. When they returned, they went on with business as if nothing had happened.

That silence wasn’t accidental. It was instinctive. It was the system protecting itself.

If an ordinary citizen accused a powerful interest of offering a bribe, the wheels of government would turn quickly. Subpoenas. Statements. Investigators. But when the accusation lands inside the club, the first impulse is not truth. It’s containment.

That is not how a healthy legislature behaves. That is how an institution behaves when it has something to lose.

When I say that, as Attorney General, there will be no statute of limitations on misconduct in office, I mean exactly that. On day one, SLED will interview every senator who was present that day. Not to embarrass anyone. Not to posture. To answer the most basic question a free society must answer: what happened?

Was money offered? Who made the offer? When did it happen? How was it communicated? Was it reported? Was it ignored? Those aren’t political questions. They’re law-enforcement questions. And the fact that no one asked them tells you everything you need to know about why corruption survives in Columbia.

This is why there has been such an intense effort by the good o'le boys to keep me off the ballot. I will bring an end to the era of toleration.

The good ole boys in both parties understand what comes next if I am Attorney General. They understand I don’t protect institutions at the expense of the public. I don’t confuse seniority with legitimacy. And I don’t pretend corruption doesn’t exist just because acknowledging it makes powerful people uncomfortable.

For years, my opponents have tried to brand me as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. That’s never been true. I’m a wolf in wolf’s clothing. I don’t hide my intentions. I don’t pretend to be something I’m not. And I don’t apologize for enforcing the law evenly.

If you think that moment on the Senate floor was an anomaly, you haven’t been paying attention. If you think it didn’t deserve investigation, you’re accepting a double standard that only benefits insiders. And if you think the system will fix itself without pressure, history says otherwise.

Corruption doesn’t disappear because people are polite. It disappears when someone is willing to confront it directly, document it carefully, and prosecute it without fear.

I’ve done that work before. I know what it costs. And I know why the establishment would rather stop me now than deal with what comes later.

The culture of corruption in Columbia didn’t grow overnight. It won’t end overnight either. But it will end, not with speeches or slogans, but with enforcement.

That’s what scares them.

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

I am running for Attorney General for two reasons: to make South Carolina safer and less corrupt.

Those goals are connected. A government that tolerates corruption eventually fails to protect its citizens. When public officials spend more time rewarding friends, protecting insiders, and preserving their own power than serving the people, everyone pays the price.

For decades, corruption has thrived in South Carolina. It survives because too many elected officials benefit from the system and too many voters have accepted it as normal.

The problem is not that we lack laws. We have laws.

The problem is not that courageous people are unwilling to come forward. 

The problem is that the same political establishment continues to protect itself. Politicians look the other way. Insiders reward each other with government contracts and appointments. Lobbyists and special interests gain influence while ordinary citizens lose faith that anyone is looking out for them.

That cycle will continue until voters decide they have had enough.

I have detailed plans to reduce crime, combat illegal immigration, and defend South Carolina from federal overreach. But what separates me from my opponents is my willingness to confront corruption directly.

My opponents rarely, if ever,  discuss corruption. They certainly do not make it a central part of their campaigns.

I do.

I have watched lawyer-legislators collect millions of dollars through government contracts while serving in public office. I have watched insiders use political influence for personal gain. I have watched a culture develop where too many people believe public office is a business opportunity.

I reject that culture.

On my first day as Attorney General, every lawyer-legislator serving on no-bid Attorney General contracts will be removed. I will establish a Public Corruption Unit dedicated to investigating public officials who abuse their positions for personal benefit. The message will be simple: public office is a public trust, not a path to personal enrichment.

I am equally committed to protecting South Carolina’s children.

Some of the most disturbing cases I prosecuted involved the sexual abuse of children. I have sat with families whose lives were permanently altered by evil acts committed against their sons and daughters. I have seen defendants force families through painful trials despite overwhelming evidence of guilt.

South Carolina must do more.

As Attorney General, I will pursue the strongest penalties available under the law against those who prey on children. I will work to ensure prosecutors have the resources necessary to successfully investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases. We cannot claim to be tough on crime if we fail to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Ultimately, this election comes down to a choice.

Voters can choose the same establishment that has governed South Carolina for decades, or they can choose accountability.

They can choose a system that protects insiders, or they can choose someone who has spent his career investigating them.

I have seen corruption up close. I know how it works. More importantly, I know how to stop it.

If elected Attorney General, I will make South Carolina safer. I will make South Carolina less corrupt. I will never stop fighting for the people of this state.

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

David Pascoe fights corruption! Have a blessed day.

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

Thank you @MarkLynchSC for pointing out Loomer’s hypocrisy. She is bought and paid for by South Carolina’s Good Ole Boy establishment.

The same lawyers attacking me and paying for Loomer are the same ones attacking Mark Lynch because they know that with Attorney General David Pascoe their gravy train of living off of taxpayer money comes to an end.

[Mark Lynch for U.S. Senate @MarkLynchSC]

David Pascoe is THE anti-corruption candidate in SC's race for Attorney General.

Why would foreign interests OPPOSE the anti-corruption candidate for the state's top law man?

Your guess is as good as mine, but I'll try to give a bit of context here.

I have heard David speak on multiple occasions. And I can confirm, he is the real deal.

How do I know this?

Here's one thing I've learned in this dirty game of politics:

Politicians have a record of over-promising, and under-delivering.

But the TRUTH is, most of them don't even promise all that much!

They offer vague, general promises instead of specific plans of action!

For example, in the U.S. Senate, one thing we really need to do is to get rid of the filibuster -- an issue that was until recently considered the third rail of politics.

(Note how talk of "nuking" it disappeared once the BBB was passed, however. That's because they NEED the filibuster to hide their malfeasance and lack of action.)

In the race for SC Atty General, Pascoe is promising VERY SPECIFIC action items -- action items that should be win, if unfulfilled, will be VERY easy to call him on.

And that is the process!

Virtually ALL incumbents are making vague promises, and then deliver a near 100% FAIL rate!

But instead of firing them, we send them back to their jobs!

How insane is that??

David is offering a very clear set of goals.

David Pascoe has a record of taking down corrupt politicians like Lindsey Graham.

Graham's biggest supporters are lawyers like Randy Lowell who have made MILLIONS off of no-bid government contracts.

Now, Lowell and other lawyers are using that money to do a smear campaign on me and Pascoe.

Why?

Because they know their corruption will not be tolerated any longer.

Like David says on the trail:

It's time we stop tolerating ANY corruption.

I hope this helps folks understand what's going on in SC, despite all the national (and INTERNATIONAL!) noise some questionable actors are making.

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

I want to thank the Greenville Republican Party for its endorsements. Despite bizarre lies by my opponents’ supporters, I have been UNANIMOUSLY endorsed by their Pro-Life Committee and with over 94% of the executive committee.

IT WAS January 6, 2022 that I addressed a huge Greenville GOP crowd about the need to end corruption and bring judicial reform to South Carolina. The fight to end corruption began that night in Greenville!

After that night, I ended up addressing over 20 Republican and conservative groups across the state in the next 4 years. Republican voters care about ending corruption! That’s why they invited me to their meetings, and it was then that I realized that if I’m going to crush corruption, it has to be with the GOP!

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

The culture of corruption in Columbia didn’t happen overnight.

It was built by insiders who believed the rules didn’t apply to them.

I’ve spent my career proving otherwise.

No one is above the law.

That is how you fight corruption.

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

The last Business & Brews event before next Tuesday’s primary. Come on out to Savage Craft in West Columbia. It will be a fun time with great speakers. I look forward to seeing everyone!

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

I’m honored to have the unanimous endorsement of the Greenville Republican Party Pro Life Committee. My top priority as Attorney General is to do a much better job in South Carolina of protecting our children both in and out of the mother’s womb.

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

Thank you to the Myrtle Beach Republican Women for your endorsement!

These conservative women are passionate about protecting our children and crushing corruption in our state.
#CrushCorruption
#PascoeWolfpack

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

A packed house with the Little River Patriots. I am proud to have the endorsement of these great Americans!
#PatriotsforPascoe

[Constitutional Conservatives of South Carolina @CCSCPatriot]

The REAL CCSC is working to elect David Pascoe, who clearly is over the target 🇺🇸👇🏼

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

🚨FRAUD ALERT 🚨

A dark money group calling themselves “Constitutional Conservatives” is a sham purportedly funded by some trial lawyers and coordinating with a convicted former legislator.

It is sending out mail pieces attacking our campaign. This group’s tactics are identical to those outlined in the 2018 State Grand Jury Report where certain trial lawyers and the Quinns coordinated to deceive Republican voters in a past primary.

The actual Constitutional Conservatives of South Carolina is a Super PAC made up of Palmetto State conservatives and they have endorsed me! I am proud to have their support.

Don’t be fooled by the dark money lies!

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

🚨 FRAUD ALERT 🚨

My opponent Stephen Goldfinch sent out a text stating he was endorsed by the NRA.

He has NOT been endorsed in our race by the NRA.

He lied.

Stem Cell Steve freaked out because I have been endorsed by the National Association for Gun Rights.

I am very proud of my endorsement. I’m also proud that the NRA gave me their highest rating for a non-legislative office holder. Both the NRA and NAGR know that I will protect our 2nd Amendment Rights in South Carolina.

Read more here for information about Goldfinch’s dismal record protecting our 2nd Amendment Rights>>> https://t.co/joFdoJuFs7

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

Proud to have the endorsement of these Patriots! Conservative Patriots across our state support our anti-corruption platform. They know that it will take a wolf in wolf’s clothing to crush our culture of corruption.

#PatriotsforPascoe
#CrushCorruption
#PascoeWolfpack

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

My one minute opening in the debate outlines our agenda for South Carolina:

(1) We will lower crime in SC by stopping the revolving door at the jail for repeat offenders

(2) We will combat illegal immigration by keeping illegals in jail on even minor charges long enough to give ICE time to decide whether they should be deported

(3) We will protect our children better by seeking the death penalty on child rapists;

(4) We will crush corruption in Columbia with a Public Corruption Unit that will make it impossible to profit from their positions.

A simple agenda that has powerful but corrupt actors terrified.

#CrushCorruption

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

I am honored to have the endorsement of the Greenville Republican Party.

On January 6, 2022, I spoke to a packed room of Republicans at their Greenville meeting about the need for judicial reform and to end corruption in our state. The fight for judicial reform began in Greenville that night, and the ripple we started has become a wave.

People are fed up with corruption in our state. They are tired of watching public officials and their insider friends line their pockets with taxpayer dollars.

Greenville, we started this fight that January night. Now we are going to go win it on June 9th!

#CrushCorruption

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

I relished the opportunity to illustrate my vision for South Carolina as your next Attorney General. I hope as many voters as possible watch this debate, and they will see why I am called the anti-corruption candidate. Everyone will also understand why so much dark money is being spent to stop us…but the Wolfpack won’t let that happen.

https://t.co/HGNRGdKAS3
#CrushCorruption
#PatriotsforPascoe
#PascoeWolfpack

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

South Carolina cannot have an independent judiciary when legislators control who becomes a judge.

That is the problem with the JMSC system.

Lawyer-legislators screen judges, then practice law in front of those same judges.

That creates pressure, conflicts, and a system the public no longer trusts.

We have three separate branches of government for a reason.

That is why JMSC reform matters, and that is why I’ve been fighting for it for years.

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

Even Dick Harpootlian has a higher conservative voting score than Steven Goldfinch.

Maybe that’s why Stem Cell Steve tried to get his help after entering the race.
At some point, the record speaks for itself.

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

Corruption survives when insiders believe the rules don’t apply to them.

I’ve spent my career proving otherwise.

South Carolina deserves an Attorney General willing to enforce the law, investigate misconduct, and hold powerful people accountable.

That is how you fight the culture of corruption.

[David Pascoe @davidpascoesc]

We MUST protect our children better in SC