McLeod enters race to succeed Sanford
By Robert Behre
Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod announced Wednesday he is running for governor next year because he wants to create jobs and unlock the potential of the state's voters.
Mullins McLeod
"I wouldn't get in this race if I didn't think I could win," he said. "There are a lot of things that need to change in Columbia. For one, we've got to change the way government is run. We have to get to a point where we're working on behalf of people all day every day and actually producing results: jobs, quality education, affordable health care."
Citing the state's unemployment rate, the nation's second-highest, McLeod said Gov. Mark Sanford's opposition to using $700 million in stimulus money to support schools jeopardizes teachers' and students' ability to reach their full potential. "Ideology cannot trump common sense," he said.
McLeod jumped into the race three days before state Democrats will meet in Columbia for their annual convention, and he joins a Democratic field that is increasingly crowded.
McLeod sent a letter to delegates Wednesday announcing his bid, saying the state's current leaders have "proven themselves powerless in the face of record unemployment ... (It is) abundantly clear that South Carolina needs a new direction."
Previous story
Donations already rolling in: 2 Republicans each has raised more than $1 million; Ford trails fellow Dem. Sheheen, published 04/11/09
Democratic state Sens. Vincent Sheheen of Camden and Robert Ford of Charleston also are in the race, as is the Rev. Amos Elliott of Charleston.
McLeod, 37, grew up in Walterboro but has lived in Charleston since 1998. He graduated from Wofford College and the University of South Carolina's School of Law. He is the son of the late W. Mullins McLeod, city prosecutor and former district administrator for U.S. Rep. Mendel J. Davis. The elder McLeod was the Democratic candidate in 1982 for the 1st Congressional District seat.
McLeod said he is running to win the governorship and is not deterred by the state's GOP leanings. "I think that South Carolina voters have consistently shown that they will look at each individual race," he said.
"Unfortunately, some of our statewide Democratic candidates in the past have not run at the Republicans. They've tried to imitate the Republicans, and I think that's why we lost. I'm going to run a modern, 21st century campaign that focuses on the issues that matter."
The GOP field is growing, too. Third Congressional District Rep. Gresham Barrett and Furman University political scientist Brent Nelsen are in. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and Attorney General Henry McMaster plan to announce later.
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.
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lillycollette (anonymous) says...
The current leadership of S.C. can be fully viewed / analyzed at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Ba...
They are a lousy sequel to -- Fractured Fairy Tales.
April 23, 2009 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
Just what we need, more lawyers in our business. They have been running things for decades and look where we are.
April 23, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zekemire (anonymous) says...
Just what we do not need! MORE LIBERAL WEALTH SPREADING DEMOCRATS!
April 23, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
I look forward to meeting the Democratic Candidates for Governor at this weekend's state Democratic Convention. We'll be tweeting and blogging from there, hopefully with video, Friday afternoon and Saturday. There are facebook event pages set up. You can follow my tweets at wjhamilton29464 or look me up on facebook to get the images, text and multimedia. A lot of this material will show up on www.indigojournal.com
I'll try to get video from all the candidates. We'll be blogging live from the convention floor on Saturday.
It's a big politics 2.0 effort.
Republicans can just ignore all this and watch the NASCAR channel, they'll enjoy the weekend more that way.
April 23, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
"Republicans can just ignore all this and watch the NASCAR channel, they'll enjoy the weekend more that way"
Typical ignorant liberal comment.
April 23, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
I don't really care about the party anymore, since we rarely get a choice other than between a dem and a dem-lite. I will listen for good ideas. Did I miss any new good ideas in the article above or was that just more feelgood speech about changing the was government works. Here we go again.
April 23, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
What do you expect from JW. He's a lawyer. That means he's a bottom-feeder.
April 23, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Haywood_Utalktome (anonymous) says...
McLeod, 37 the pic makes him looks more like he's fresh out of high school.
April 23, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Naw, he's got to be a surfer.
April 23, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
We'll if you don't like Mr. Mcleod, you can always run yourself. The Republicans and the Democrats are both taking names now. There are about eight other parties with Ballot Status in SC. Nobody is stopping anyone. If you don't like your options, start a campaign.
April 23, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
Just can't see this "Christopher Reeves" Superman look-a-like as governor.
April 23, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
wjhamilton is an idiot, a retard, sorry lawyer(if he is one) and a total screw up. everything that comes out your mouth is a worthless pile of crap. you are the biggest looser that has ever lived. if i could meet you i would spit in your face. you are a sorry excuse for a human being. you lick the bottom of shoes. your boyfriend is a crack head. and you hang out in piggle wiggly parking lot looking for men that look like woman. give the guy back his cell phone.
April 23, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
there are more qualified candidates on SPEED(nascar channel) than at this rally. no democrat is worth voting for in this state, this country this world. yahooo!!!!
April 23, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
lawyers suck slim off a slugs butt and wjhammy is the lowest of the slim suckers. LMFAO at wj!!! hahahhahahaha
April 23, 2009 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
SANFORD is Number 1!!!!! Sanford for President!!! get use to it....2012 Sanford Wins!!!! ....and I hope he goes after Obama like obama is going after the Busch administration. what comes around, goes around!!! No Tax paying thugs!!!
April 23, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
Mullins Mcleaod was socially promoted through law school. I guess he is qualified as a democrat.
April 23, 2009 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vuduchld (anonymous) says...
I don't know too much about this young man, but I like the things he is saying. The citizens of my birth state need to realize that whatever advantages they thought they had in the past are gone and everyone starts from ground zero.
Frankly, I don't care if it's a Democrat, Republican or Sponge Bob Square Pants, South Carolina needs a TRUE LEADER bent on providing results for it's people, not feel good drivel based on bogus "conservative principals".
The time is now for the state to make a change and the moment needs to be seized ASAP. The rest of us are not going to wait on you, holding your hand while you attempt to get your act together. Like I have stated before, in this century, states that are progressively forward thinking, value diversity and are OPEN TO CHANGE will be the ones that are rewarded. States that cling to old ways, thinking that bogus "principals" are their ticket to prosperity will be left behind.
Seems like you may have a young man who "gets it" and I will be following his journey very closely.
April 23, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PalmettoDP (anonymous) says...
In reference to the above comment, I used to live in California, which is "progressively forward thinking."
If confiscatory taxation, bad roads, rolling blackouts, and being a province of Mexico are "progressive," then I want no part of it.
April 23, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Hmm.....
Rev. Amos "Amen" Elliott Vs. Mullet "Fu MAN Chu" McLoed ?
GAME ...on !!!!!
April 23, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
It's amazing how some people can say a whole lot of words that have absolutely no meaning or that everyone can agree on but still have no meaning...and get people to vote for them, because they like what they are saying. Read it again; shoot, I like what he said, but he didn't say anything. What's not to like about the words. Does it say anything about what the bottom line picture will look like or how to get there.
April 23, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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