Controversial Arrest of South Carolina Governor Candidate
Footage recently released from the interior of a police vehicle reveals a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in South Carolina being apprehended while donning nothing but his underwear and shoes. During the incident, William “Mullins” McLeod Jr., who is 53, reportedly exhibited erratic behavior, proclaiming himself as “God” and “Superman,” along with a barrage of offensive language.
A married father of four and a lawyer based in Charleston, McLeod declared his intent to run for governor just days before his arrest.
“I have a job to do, and it needs to be done right now,” he stated in a campaign video. “This job aims to eradicate a cancer that’s infested state government for 25 years—corruption,” he added.
In light of the recent embarrassing footage that was made public, various members of his party are now urging him to withdraw from the gubernatorial race.
According to a police report, McLeod was arrested while he was reportedly shouting loudly along King Street. When initially approached, he declined to provide his name, instead asserting, “Trust me, I’m one of the most human beings who has walked this soil.”
“Superman is great,” he insisted at one point. He also bizarrely remarked, “I thought the president of the United States was my cousin,” in a subsequent tweet.
The police body cam footage shows McLeod ranting for nearly an hour, mentioning his campaign while also issuing threats to his Republican opponents.
He directed a violent warning toward Attorney General Alan Wilson, who launched his campaign in June, stating, “I’m going to kick you [expletive].” In an odd twist, he questioned the identity of Wilson’s “biological father,” suggesting they should “share it with the world.”
“I’m going to kick all of them!” he added, bizarrely repeating the reference to “teeth” multiple times over the next half-minute. His comments also hinted towards GOP candidate Nancy Mace.
Moreover, he alluded to President Donald Trump in a threatening manner, suggesting that Trump would “kick” Mace’s teeth as well.
In a troubling moment captured on film, McLeod used a racial slur at least twice. The police reports indicated that his eyes appeared “very bloody and very dilated,” which are symptoms typically associated with meth use. It remains unclear if he underwent drug testing at the time of his arrest, but he is facing a misdemeanor charge for disorderly conduct.
The chairperson of the South Carolina Democrats, Christre Spain, has called for McLeod’s resignation, expressing concern over his mental health in light of the incident.
Spain stated, “After reviewing the dashcam footage transcript, it’s evident that McLeod is facing significant challenges, and the focus should rightly shift from his campaign to his personal well-being.”
In response to the situation, Wilson commented the same day on the potential threat McLeod poses, saying, “I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume it’s just campaign bravado, not a literal street fight aspect.” He emphasized his commitment to conservative leadership, despite the increased scrutiny he faces.
With this incident behind him, many are left wondering how it will impact McLeod’s campaign moving forward.
