Mullins McLeod, Democratic candidate for Governor of South Carolina, announced today that his campaign has raised $1.4 million in its first fundraising quarter. The majority of those funds came directly from McLeod himself, through personal contributions rather than loans or political donors.
This choice was deliberate. McLeod, a Charleston attorney, says his decision to invest his own resources represents his "deep belief that South Carolina is ready for a new kind of leadership; one unbought, unbossed, and unwilling to compromise the truth."
“Admittedly, it is hard for a truth-teller like me to raise money in a corrupt system, particularly considering that I am not for sale,” McLeod said. “Where I come from, you put your money where your mouth is. That is exactly what I have done, and it is something my opponents have not done. Too many politicians operate like jukeboxes. They sing whatever song their large donors tell them to sing. I am not a politician. I am a servant leader who has spent the last twenty-five years in the private sector preparing to clean up the corruption that has become the cancer of our state government. The people of South Carolina deserve a voice that cannot be bought or silenced. I am determined that my voice will be heard because when it is, South Carolina will find hers again.”
McLeod laid out his platform's four foundational priorities:
1. Strengthening public education. Every child in South Carolina deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their zip code or economic background. McLeod believes that investment in public education is an investment in the future of the state’s economy and democracy.
2. Protecting women’s rights. McLeod stands firmly for women’s right to make their own healthcare decisions without government interference. He has vowed to protect the dignity, freedom, and equality of women in every corner of the state.
3. Restoring integrity to government. McLeod’s career as an attorney has shown him firsthand how corruption corrodes trust, wastes taxpayer money, and holds back progress. His plan for reform includes stronger ethics laws, increased transparency, and new accountability measures that ensure politicians answer to the people—not special interests.
4. Making healthcare and childcare more affordable. McLeod has seen the toll that rising costs take on South Carolina families. He is committed to policies that expand access to healthcare and make childcare affordable and accessible for working parents who are struggling to stay afloat.
“The people of this state are hungry for authenticity,” McLeod said. “They want someone who understands the cost of doing the right thing and is willing to pay it. I have no interest in being a career politician. I am entering this race to serve, to fight for the people who have been left behind, and to help build a South Carolina that my children and grandchildren will be proud to inherit.”
You can learn more at mcleodforsc.com.