Recently released dashcam footage shows William “Mullins” McLeod, a Democratic candidate for governor in South Carolina, being arrested while only in his underwear and referring to himself as God and Superman.
The 53-year-old, a father of four, is facing pressure from his party to step down from the governor’s race. New York Post Reports indicate McLeod entered the race just the day before footage surfaced after his May arrest, according to local news outlet WCBD.
According to police, McLeod, who also practices law, was found downtown Charleston engaging in erratic behavior while clad only in his shoes and underwear, “screaming at the top of his lungs.” The police report noted he exhibited signs consistent with methamphetamine use.
McLeod allegedly identified himself as God and Superman without disclosing his actual name to the police, as revealed in an hour-long video made available through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). He also discussed the 2026 governor’s race and made threatening remarks towards an opponent.
“My friend, trust me,” he told an officer who asked for his name. “I am one of the most legitimate people who have walked this soil,” he added.
“Superman is great,” he continued.
“I’m going to kick your F-King teeth,” he allegedly said at one point. Notably, Wilson, another candidate, announced his own campaign earlier this summer.
During the video, McLeod reportedly used the N-word multiple times. He also resisted the officer’s request to exit the police vehicle upon arriving at the station, insisting that he would sleep in the back seat.
“No, I’m not doing that. No, I’m not getting out of this car. It’s time to sleep,” he yelled at the officer while being booked, according to a report obtained by WCBD.
The arrest report noted that McLeod’s eyes appeared “very dilated and very bloodshot, typical of individuals under the influence of meth.” There was no information as to whether a drug test was conducted at the time of his arrest.
McLeod now faces misdemeanor charges related to disorderly conduct.
On Wednesday, Cristale Spain, chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, released a statement urging McLeod to resign from the race following the dashcam footage.
“After reviewing the transcript of the dashcam footage from the recent arrest, it’s evident that McLeod is confronting significant personal challenges. The emphasis should be on his mental and emotional well-being rather than the governor’s campaign,” Spain commented. “We hope to support him with compassion during this time.”
McLeod’s campaign has not yet publicly responded to these calls. Previous statements from him described his mental health as “illegal” in a recent interview while announcing his candidacy for governor.
“All I ask from voters is a little grace and understanding about what happened before Election Day,” he remarked, as reported by Post and Courier.
“When they discover the truth about my arrest, it will prove that I should be the governor of our state,” he added, claiming he was exercising his “God-given constitutional rights” at the time of his arrest.
McLeod previously served two terms as chairman of the Charleston County Democrats and made an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2010.
