Democrats’ Top 2026 Gubernatorial Prospect Arrested In Charleston

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One of the Democrat party’s top 2026 prospects for governor of South Carolina has been arrested in Charleston and charged with disorderly conduct.

Attorney Mullins McLeod – one of the Palmetto State’s most prominent lawyers – was arrested by officers of the Charleston Police Department (CPD) late Wednesday evening (May 14, 2025) and booked shortly before 1:00 a.m. EDT the following morning (May 15, 2025).

As of this publication, he remains incarcerated at the Charleston County Detention Center.

According to an incident report (.pdf) provided to FITSNews, an unnamed individual – later identified as McLeod – was “observed walking along the battery screaming” at approximately 9:34 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. These screams, per the report, could be heard from “approximately one city block away.” McLeod was in the neighborhood where he resides at the time of the incident.

From the report…

Officers then approached the male who was observed to be wearing only his underwear and shoes and continuing to yell at the top of his lungs and move his arms frantically. Officers attempted to inquire as to the individuals loud, boisterous, and erratic behavior at which point he began rambling incoherently. Due to his loud and boisterous behavior, officers ordered the male to place his hands behind his back at which point he began yelling louder and locking out his arms. Officers swiftly gained positive control and placed the male into handcuffs. While trying to identify the male, he offered numerous fictitious names such as “Superman” and “God”. Due to the male offering fake names, as well as not having a physical ID, he was placed under arrest and booked into ACDC as “John Doe”.

While in route to ACDC, the Offender continued to yell incoherently about vague historic events and people in his life such as Wallace and Ashley all while make vague threats directed towards nothing in particular. While in the sallyport of the jail, the Offender was instructed to exit the vehicle to which he refused and voiced his wish to sleep inside of the vehicle. Officers then noticed the Offender’s eyes to be extremely bloodshot and highly dilate, as well as sweating profusely. It should be noted that R/O knows these symptoms to be typical of an individual under the influence of a stimulate narcotic due to his training and experience.

Additionally, while in intake, the Offender continued to ramble incoherently and at one point lashed out and kicked another prisoner. The incident was captured on (responding officer)’s CPD-issued BWC.

-CITY OF CHARLESTON, S.C. INCIDENT REPORT

McLeod, 53, of Charleston, ran for governor in 2010 but withdrew from the Democrat primary that year and endorsed the party’s eventual nominee, then-state senator Vincent Sheheen. He previously served two terms as chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party (CCDP).

McLeod’s name has been touted as top prospect for governor in 2026, and sources familiar with his thinking have indicated he is considering such a campaign. Democrats stand little chance of winning a statewide race in South Carolina, however, having not won at that level since 2006. Democrats haven’t won a gubernatorial election since 1998.

“The small bench the South Carolina Dems do have is crumbling,” veteran political and corporate communications executive Wesley Donehue noted. “They’re completely irrelevant in South Carolina politics.”

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A native of Walterboro, S.C., McLeod graduated from Wofford College and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He has made a name for himself in the Palmetto legal community by securing numerous, high-dollar verdicts against all manner of defendants across the southeast.

His official biography described him as “a fearless trial lawyer and dedicated victims’ rights advocate.”

“Mullins McLeod is a fixture and pillar of the legal community for decades,” said Manning, S.C. attorney Shaun Kent, who is representing McLeod.  “His unwavering support to the community is unparalleled.  Few attorneys can match his voracious work ethic.  Sadly, that work ethic along with the heavy burden of the practice of law have created a level of exhaustion that has placed Mullins in an unfamiliar position. We are thankful to everyone for their help as the Mcleod family navigates  through this situation.  What is needed more than anything is rest and prayers.  The family would appreciate everyone’s respect for privacy at this time.”

Kent spoke with FITSNews shortly after the bond hearing and informed us McLeod was suffering from “exhaustion.” He added that despite officers’ initial reference in the incident report to the potential involvement of illegal drugs, there was “no evidence or suggestion of drug use whatsoever.”

McLeod was granted a personal recognizance bond – meaning he was not required to put up any money in order to secure his release. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 12, 2025 to answer to the charge filed against him.

Kent told FITSNews that while bond was granted for his client, he was not immediately inclined to have him released from custody until he had been evaluated.

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THE REPORT…

(City of Charleston, S.C.)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…

Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.

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