On August 11, 2025, the landscape of South Carolina politics gained a new contender as Charleston attorney William "Mullins" McLeod, 53, announced his candidacy for governor. The move marks McLeod’s return to the political stage after more than a decade, reigniting debates and discussions across the state about leadership, party strategy, and the future direction of South Carolina. As the first Democrat to officially declare for the 2026 gubernatorial race, McLeod’s entry has not just set the tone for a competitive campaign but has also drawn attention to both his bold agenda and his recent personal controversies.
McLeod, known for his work as a personal injury attorney at the McLeod Law Group—which operates four offices statewide—has built a reputation on high-profile cases, most notably helping secure an $88 million settlement for victims of the tragic 2015 Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting. According to WCBD, McLeod’s campaign is centered on the promise of being a "servant leader" and a political outsider determined to tackle what he calls the "cancer" of corruption that he believes has infiltrated state government over the last 25 years. In a three-and-a-half-minute video posted to YouTube, he declared, "I believe there’s a job that needs to be done and it needs to be done now. You see that job is curing a cancer that has infiltrated our state government over the last 25 years. The name of that cancer is corruption."
McLeod’s agenda, as outlined on his campaign website, is ambitious and wide-ranging. He pledges to raise teacher pay, introduce tax deductions for childcare, and boost training for law enforcement officers. On the contentious issue of abortion, McLeod advocates for a middle-ground approach: keeping abortion "safe and legal" in critical situations, while aiming to reduce the need for it through greater support for adoption and improved healthcare access. This nuanced stance, reported by WCBD, is designed to appeal to moderates and independents who may feel alienated by the more polarized positions often seen in state and national politics.
Yet, McLeod’s platform also includes positions that break with traditional Democratic orthodoxy. Notably, he has called for bringing "common sense back to athletics" by opposing the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. This move is likely to spark debate within his own party and among progressive activists, but it underscores McLeod’s willingness to chart his own path—even if it means courting controversy.
McLeod’s candidacy comes at a pivotal moment for South Carolina Democrats. With Republican Governor Henry McMaster unable to seek re-election due to term limits, the field is wide open. So far, McLeod is the only Democrat to officially enter the race, though Richland State Representative Jermaine Johnson has launched an exploratory committee and may soon join the fray. On the Republican side, the competition is already heating up. U.S. Representatives Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and State Representative Josh Kimbrell are all seeking the GOP nomination, according to WOLO and WCBD.
Ralph Norman, in particular, has been actively engaging with voters and stakeholders. On August 11, 2025, the same day McLeod announced his campaign, Norman visited Broad River Electric, where he met with employees and trustees to discuss the pressing issues facing South Carolina’s cooperatives. According to local reports, Norman provided updates from Congress, addressed the state’s energy future, and emphasized the urgent need for increased electric capacity. He fielded questions from employees and concluded his visit with a tour, signaling his intent to remain visible and accessible to constituents as the race unfolds.
For McLeod, the path to the governor’s mansion is both familiar and fraught with challenges. He previously ran for the office in 2010, ultimately losing but gaining valuable experience and name recognition. He has also served two terms as chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party, further cementing his status as a fixture in state politics. However, his campaign is not without its hurdles. In May 2025, McLeod was arrested and charged with public disorderly conduct after Charleston police found him behaving erratically and, according to WOLO, "screaming at the top of his lungs without any clothes on" near the Battery in downtown Charleston. As of August 11, 2025, those charges were still pending, casting a shadow over his candidacy and providing fodder for critics and opponents alike.
The incident has raised questions about McLeod’s judgment and personal stability, but he has not shied away from addressing it. Instead, he has sought to frame his campaign as a battle against the entrenched interests and systemic problems that, in his view, have held South Carolina back. His willingness to speak candidly about corruption and to propose bold solutions has earned him both supporters and detractors, setting the stage for a lively and unpredictable primary season.
South Carolina’s political environment is notoriously challenging for Democrats, with Republicans holding the governor’s office for the past two decades. Yet, some observers believe that shifting demographics and growing frustration with the status quo could create an opening for a candidate like McLeod, especially one who is willing to embrace both progressive and centrist positions. His emphasis on education, childcare, and law enforcement training resonates with many voters concerned about the future of their communities, while his moderate stance on abortion and athletics may draw in independents and disaffected Republicans.
Still, the road ahead is anything but certain. The Republican field is crowded with well-known figures, each bringing their own base of support and political capital. Nancy Mace and Alan Wilson, both seasoned politicians, are expected to mount formidable campaigns. Pamela Evette and Josh Kimbrell add further depth to the GOP bench, ensuring that the eventual nominee will be battle-tested and well-resourced.
For now, though, all eyes are on McLeod as he seeks to reintroduce himself to South Carolina voters and make the case that his blend of experience, outsider status, and policy vision is what the state needs at this critical juncture. Whether his campaign can overcome the baggage of his recent arrest and the inherent challenges facing Democrats in the Palmetto State remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the 2026 South Carolina governor’s race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched—and unpredictable—contests in recent memory.
As the campaign season kicks off, voters across the state will be weighing the promises, platforms, and personalities of a diverse slate of candidates. With issues like education, energy, and public integrity at the forefront, and with personal histories and political records under intense scrutiny, South Carolina’s next governor will need to earn the trust of a state hungry for both change and stability.
