William Mullins McLeod Jr., chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party and a candidate for South Carolina governor, is facing a political disaster.
NEW: Footage shows arrest of Charleston County Democratic Party chairman and current SC Gov candidate William Mullins McLeod Jr.
He went on an insane unhinged rant, screamed profanities, threatened to “kick teeth in” of rivals, and yelled at cops.
At the time, he was charged… pic.twitter.com/zCMzRpcgK0
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 14, 2025
On May 15, 2025, Charleston police found McLeod near the city’s historic Battery district wearing only underwear and shoes.
The incident report noted his eyes were “extremely bloodshot and highly dilated” and described behavior “typical of someone under the influence of a stimulant narcotic.”
A 35-minute dashcam recording released later shows McLeod speaking incoherently, using profanity and a racial slur, and declaring himself both “God” and “Superman.”
The footage has spread quickly online and is now the defining image of his campaign.
A Long Career Overshadowed
McLeod is not new to the public eye.
As a prominent Charleston attorney, he’s handled major civil cases and has twice led the county’s Democratic Party. His legal work earned him a strong reputation in South Carolina political circles.
That reputation is now in serious jeopardy.
Party Leadership Calls for Withdrawal
The South Carolina Democratic Party responded swiftly after the footage became public, urging McLeod to withdraw from the race and address his personal well-being.
Democrats had been working to expand their reach in the state, even bringing in California Gov. Gavin Newsom to connect with rural voters.
But the party’s message is now overshadowed by a crisis involving its highest-profile gubernatorial candidate.
A Race Already Marked by Controversy
The 2026 South Carolina governor’s race was already shaping up to be contentious.
Former state treasurer and reality television figure Thomas Ravenel has also entered the race, bringing his own history of controversy.
With McLeod’s arrest, the focus is shifting further from policy discussions to personal scandals.
What Nevada Can Learn From This
Nevadans have seen similar political missteps.
Poorly vetted candidates can derail not only their own campaigns but also their party’s broader electoral prospects.
In 2022, Republicans in states like Arizona and Pennsylvania lost winnable races due to candidate controversies. Now, South Carolina Democrats are facing that same challenge.
The lesson is clear: candidate quality matters everywhere.
McLeod’s Explanation
McLeod’s attorney has said the incident was caused by exhaustion and stress, not drug use.
Supporters argue that one difficult night should not erase years of public service and legal accomplishments.
Still, the reality of politics is that perception often outweighs explanation.
Once an incident is captured on video and widely shared, it becomes difficult to overcome in the public’s mind.
How This Could Play Out
McLeod was released on a personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 12, 2025.
Whether he remains in the race or not, the damage to his campaign (and potentially to his party) is already significant.
If political observers can take anything away, it’s that thorough candidate vetting is not optional.
In high-stakes elections, one scandal can shift the conversation – and cost a party the race.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
