Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod jumps into SC governor’s race. 4 things to know
Mullins McLeod, a trial lawyer who ran for governor in 2010 but dropped out before the primary, is making another run to be the state’s top executive.
“What I’ve done in my entire adult life is what makes me uniquely qualified to be our state’s next governor. I have been kicking corruption’s teeth in the courtrooms all over our state for last 25 years, and that’s exactly what needs to be done in Columbia,” McLeod said in an interview Monday morning.
Gov. Henry McMaster, who is the state’s longest serving governor, cannot run for reelection in 2026.
Who is McLeod?
McLeod is a lawyer based in Charleston.
He served two terms as the chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party, and he could partially self-fund a race. McLeod is a graduate of Wofford College and the University of South Carolina School of Law.
He founded the McLeod Law Group in Charleston, and has worked on cases involving toxic torts, civil rights violations, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, nursing home abuse and commercial negligence.
McLeod is the nephew of the late state Sen. Peden Brown McLeod and former state Rep. Walton McLeod III, both Democrats. His paternal grandfather, Walton “Stumpy” McLeod, also was a state lawmaker, and his late father WIlliam Mullins McLeod chaired the the S.C. Public Railways Commission.
McLeod and his wife, Ashley, have four children.
Why it makes sense for McLeod to run?
McLeod is the first notable Democrat to jump into the race. He’s previously ran before and has experience on a statewide stage.
State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, who is exploring a run, has yet to formally announce a run, so McLeod jumping in now allows him to gain media attention and see if he can gain traction with primary voters.
His wealth also has supported Democratic candidates in the past.
“He’s been a big supporter of our local party and local candidates for a long time. We’re very grateful for the support he’s provided us over the years,” said Sam Skardon, a former Charleston County Democratic Party chairman.
McLeod, in an interview Monday,said it still to be determined how much of his own money he will put into the race.
“I believe that this message is so powerful, I believe that this campaign will raise money, and I believe that we will not only be competitive, but we will be victorious,” McLeod said.
Being from Charleston, he lives in the Lowcountry congressional district, which is set to have an open seat with U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace’s entry into the governor’s race. The congressional race will lead to increased attention in the area, which McLeod could possibly take advantage of.
What are McLeod’s advantages?
McLeod has been a successful trial lawyer, which means he has resources to mount a statewide campaign.
“We need someone in this race who has the sources to run a competitive campaign because I think our donors are a little exhausted,” Skardon said. “If he’s willing to share some of that personal wealth in this effort that’s going to be good for his campaign and our party.”
His previous experience running statewide, albeit in the 2010 race, also helps.
“The tectonic plates have shifted since 2010, but he knows a little bit about expectation,” said Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright, who is not currently working for any campaign for governor.
What are McLeod’s challenges?
McLeod was in the news earlier in the year. He was charged with public disorderly conduct after police officers found him “yelling at the top of his lungs” only wearing underwear and shoes, the Post and Courier reported in May.
“He will have to answer questions with some of the recent reports that surfaced on the personal side,” Seawright said.
McLeod said the charges are still pending and would not comment on specifics of the case, but called it an “unlawful arrest.”
“I cannot tell you how badly I want to tell the voters exactly what happened the night of my unlawful arrest, but right now my hands are tied,” McLeod said in an interview Monday morning. “All I can tell you is, long before voters go to the polls, I’ll be able to tell them exactly what happened, and when they learn what happened my unlawful rest, it will be a reason why I absolutely should be our state’s next governor.”
Despite his resources, it still may not match what the Republican nominee will have access to in a general election.
Being a trial lawyer also may be a detriment as people sometimes have a negative view of them. McLeod however defended his line of work.
“Trial lawyers represent people. In law school, you have a choice. You can represent insurance companies (or) you can represent people,” McLeod said. “I made a decision to represent and help people, and so me running for governor is a natural extension of everything I’ve done my entire adult life.”
