Dick Harpootlian always says what’s on his mind.

For the feisty former prosecutor, his critics say, the more outlandish the better.

The new senator will take Sen. John Courson’s seat representing Irmo and St. Andrews in January.

Courson resigned in an agreement with Special Prosecutor David Pascoe and led guilty to political corruption charges.

The Chronicle asked the new senator what his aims are when he takes office.

He has yet to respond, but he told those at his swearing-in ceremony that he wants to go after corrupt officials.

If they happen to be fellow senators, that’s too bad.

As a former state Democratic Party chairman, Harpootlian has often been critical of the state’s Republican-controlled legislature.

Harpootlian said he will work with senators of both parties on prison time for convicted politicians and other corruption issues.

Although Pascoe has won convictions for a half dozen powerful lawmakers including Sen. Courson and Rep. Rick Quinn of Lexington, none have gone to prison.

The last time anyone went to prison was 28 years ago when the FBI’s Operation Lost Trust nailed 17 lawmakers and 3 lobbyists.

Harpootlian wants a minimum of 5 years in prison without parole for corrupters.

As a Democrat, Harpootlian won in a conservative district despite negative TV campaign ads aligning him with socialist Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

As a Democrat and new Senator, he will sit on the back row of the Senate, but he promised to “make some noise” when needed.