Mullins McLeod has officially announced his candidacy for the Governor of South Carolina, presenting himself as a faith-driven servant leader committed to combating political corruption.

As the first prominent Democrat to enter the 2026 governor's race, he aims to capture media attention and voter support ahead of the primary, especially as other candidates have yet to declare.

McLeod, a Charleston lawyer, made his announcement through a YouTube video on August 11, 2025, marking his entry into a competitive political landscape.

His campaign is built on five key pillars: education reform, infrastructure improvements, economic fairness, government accountability, and healthcare expansion, particularly mental health services.

Highlighting the urgent need for education reform, McLeod pointed out that a significant percentage of fourth and eighth graders in South Carolina are not meeting proficiency in reading and math.

He proposes to nearly double teachers' salaries, advocating for pay between $85,000 and $100,000, significantly higher than the current average of approximately $62,000.

McLeod has criticized the current Republican leadership for failing to fulfill promises regarding tax burdens and for neglecting state infrastructure and education.

In his campaign announcement, he also criticized large corporate tax incentives and proposed the elimination of the personal income tax, which contributes over $6.5 billion to the state budget.

Despite facing legal challenges earlier this year, including a disorderly conduct charge, McLeod claims to feel motivated by his experiences and is focused on his campaign.

On the sensitive issue of abortion, he advocates for it to remain legal in critical situations while promoting adoption and healthcare access to reduce its necessity.

McLeod will be competing against notable Republican candidates, including Rep. Nancy Mace and Attorney General Alan Wilson, indicating a challenging election ahead.

He has described the long-term Republican control of state government as a 'cancer of corruption,' accusing lawmakers of prioritizing corporate interests over public welfare.