If you’ve spent any time following South Carolina's legal scene or its often-volatile political climate, you’ve likely heard the name William Mullins McLeod Jr. Most folks just call him Mullins. He’s one of those figures who seems to exist at the center of a whirlwind. Depending on who you ask in Charleston or Columbia, he’s either a tireless champion for the underdog or a lightning rod for controversy. Honestly, the truth is usually somewhere in the messy middle.
McLeod isn’t just another lawyer. He’s a third-generation attorney with deep roots in the Lowcountry. He built a reputation on winning massive, record-setting verdicts against big corporations and government entities. But lately, the headlines haven't been about his legal wins. They’ve been about a high-profile run for governor and some deeply personal struggles that played out very publicly.
Let's break down who he actually is, beyond the snippets you see on the evening news.
The Legal Heavyweight: Million-Dollar Verdicts
Before the political drama, Mullins McLeod was defined by his work at the McLeod Law Group. He didn’t just practice law; he dominated certain corners of it. We are talking about the kind of cases most lawyers are afraid to touch. Toxic torts. Civil rights violations. Nursing home abuse.
He famously helped secure a massive $88 million settlement for the families of the victims of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston. That case was a gut-wrenching moment for the state, and McLeod was right there in the thick of the fight for accountability.
But his track record goes back further:
- The $97.5 Million Verdict: In 2014, he won one of the largest civil rights verdicts in the country for a victim in Federal Court.
- Mass Torts: He served as co-class counsel in the Graniteville railroad chemical spill litigation, which involved over 3,000 injured people.
- Record Setters: Between 2013 and 2018, he seemed to be breaking his own records for the largest wrongful death and personal injury verdicts in South Carolina history.
It’s easy to see why he felt confident. When you’re used to standing up to Fortune 500 companies and winning nine-figure sums, you start to feel like there’s no fight you can’t handle. That kind of background breeds a specific type of personality—bold, maybe a bit defiant, and definitely not scared of a microphone.
🔗 Read more: Nate Silver Trump Approval Rating: Why the 2026 Numbers Look So Different
The 2026 Governor's Race: "Corruption is Cancer"
In August 2025, McLeod officially threw his hat into the ring for the 2026 South Carolina Gubernatorial race. He didn’t come out with a standard, polished political speech. Instead, he branded himself a "faith-driven servant leader" and declared that "corruption is cancer."
His platform is basically built on the idea that the "establishment"—both Republican and Democrat—is fundamentally broken. He claims he’s untempted by special interests because he has his own money from his legal career. It’s a classic "outsider" play.
You’ve got to admit, it's a message that resonates with a lot of frustrated voters. But the timing of his announcement was... complicated.
The Controversy: That May Arrest and the Video
Just days after he announced his candidacy, the narrative shifted from policy to police footage. A video from May 2025 surfaced showing William Mullins McLeod Jr. being arrested in downtown Charleston.
The details were rough.
Police responded to reports of a man yelling and running through the streets in his underwear. The bodycam and dashcam footage showed McLeod in a highly agitated state, making erratic statements. It was a stark contrast to the composed, powerful trial lawyer people knew from the courtroom.
💡 You might also like: Weather Forecast Lockport NY: Why Today’s Snow Isn’t Just Hype
The South Carolina Democratic Party didn't hold back. Chair Christale Spain essentially told him to drop out and focus on his mental health. Most candidates would have disappeared. Most would have issued a quiet apology and retreated to private life.
Mullins did the opposite.
He released a video titled "I Will Not Stand Down." He argued that the release of the footage was a coordinated hit by the "establishment" because they viewed him as a threat. He called himself a "perfectly imperfect person" and doubled down on his campaign.
Why He Still Matters in South Carolina Politics
You might wonder why anyone is still talking about him after an arrest like that. Kinda makes sense if you think about the current political era. We live in a world where "unfiltered" is seen as "authentic" by a significant portion of the electorate.
McLeod’s supporters don't see a broken man; they see someone who has been through the fire and isn't afraid to show his scars. His legal career gives him the "expert" credibility, while his personal struggles give him a "human" element that a lot of career politicians lack.
Whether he can actually win is a different story.
📖 Related: Economics Related News Articles: What the 2026 Headlines Actually Mean for Your Wallet
South Carolina is traditionally a conservative state, and while McLeod is running as a Democrat, his rhetoric on "fiscal conservatism" and "faith" is clearly an attempt to bridge the gap. He’s trying to build a coalition of people who are just tired of the status quo.
What Most People Get Wrong About McLeod
People tend to want to put him in a box. He's either the "crazy guy in the video" or the "hero lawyer." In reality, he's a complex guy with a long history of public service.
Before all this, he was the Chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party for two terms. He ran for Governor once before in 2010. He’s been on the Board of Visitors for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He’s not a random guy off the street; he’s a man who has been part of the state's fabric for decades.
Key Facts to Remember:
- Education: He’s a graduate of Wofford College and the University of South Carolina School of Law.
- Legacy: His father was a prominent attorney and Vietnam vet; Mullins is carrying on a three-generation legal tradition.
- Legal Scope: His firm doesn't just do "fender benders." They handle massive federal racketeering lawsuits (like the one against Adidas) and complex medical neglect cases.
Actionable Insights: Following the Story
If you're keeping an eye on William Mullins McLeod Jr. as the 2026 election approaches, there are a few things you should actually do to stay informed:
- Watch the Filings: Keep an eye on the South Carolina State Ethics Commission. Campaign finance reports will tell you if his "anti-establishment" message is actually attracting donors or if he's self-funding.
- Look Beyond the Soundbites: If you want to understand his legal mind, look up his actual court filings in the Mother Emanuel case or the Ariane McCree civil rights action. They show a much more calculated, sharp version of the man than the 30-second news clips.
- Monitor the Debates: If he makes it to the primary debates, that will be the real test. Can he stay on message about corruption, or will the personal controversies derail the conversation?
The story of Mullins McLeod is far from over. It’s a case study in how modern politics handles mental health, personal scandal, and the "outsider" brand. Whether he ends up in the Governor’s mansion or back in a Charleston courtroom, he’s definitely not going to be quiet about it.
Keep an eye on the local Charleston outlets like The Post and Courier or WCIV for the most immediate updates on his legal proceedings or campaign stops, as these local sources often catch the nuance that national aggregators miss.