By Sam Spence, special to Statehouse Report | State Sen. Mia McLeod has already made South Carolina history by becoming the first Black woman to run for governor. But in a state where Democrats have lost the last five elections for the governor’s mansion, could McLeod flip the script?
GOP Gov. Henry McMaster will appear on ballots again in 2022 — his eighth run in 36 years for statewide office — but the Democratic field from which his opponent will be chosen is wide open for now. McLeod’s announcement Thursday made her the third candidate to enter the race. Activist Gary Votour and former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham have also announced campaigns.
On top of 10 years of experience in the state legislature — three terms in the House and her current tenure in the state Senate — McLeod, a Bennettsville native who lives in the Columbia area, brings a shift compared to previous Democratic prospects, said S.C. Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston.
“Instead of Vincent, Vincent, James and Joe, we’re about to witness Mia. That contrast alone is different. Not only in name, but also policy proposals,” he said. “In the past, we’ve had conservative Democrats spending a whole lot of time and energy pandering to voters who have historically not supported the Democratic nominee in the general. The difference here is I think Mia will, first and foremost, represent the interests of the heart of the party.”
Cunningham is also a “well-qualified” and “exciting” candidate, Kimpson said, but he will let the candidates make their cases before endorsing.
In a statement Thursday, Cunningham said, “Mia brings an important voice to this race and I look forward to spending time with her on the trail as we make our case to voters.”
McLeod has been a vocal critic of McMaster and Republican legislators who have maintained a stranglehold on state government for years. Last year, she criticized leaders’ return to Columbia to debate voting laws following early COVID-related shutdowns, citing her own bouts with sickle cell anemia. During debate over restrictive anti-abortion laws, McLeod spoke in front of her colleagues, revealing she had been the victim of sexual assault.
“With over 7,000 deaths in South Carolina from this deadly virus in less than a year, Henry McMaster’s claims of being ‘pro life’ ring hollow,” she said in a Feb. 16 email to supporters.
In her Thursday announcement, she said, “I believe in a South Carolina where the governor has the courage to lead, the compassion to feel empathy for others, a connection to the people she represents, the character to do the right thing simply because it’s the right thing, and the conviction to stand, even if she has to stand alone.”
Criticisms of McMaster will likely be plentiful from all candidates, said Marguerite Willis, a Florence attorney who previously ran for governor in 2018 and has not ruled out a run in 2022.
“What we have different this time, is you have four years of experience to shoot it with regard to Henry McMaster,” she said. “There’s so much to pick apart, with regard to his performance, that whoever does the best job of that should be a successful candidate.”
Whoever the nominee is, Kimpson said, they can’t just be in the race for a feel-good discussion of the issues or to put up a good fight.
“I don’t believe we move the needle by sending a message. We need to win.”
In other recent news:
Murders jump 25% in 2020 in S.C. South Carolina had one of its most violent years on record in 2020, increasing the number of murders reported from 457 in 2019 to 571 in 2020, according to preliminary statistics released by the State Law Enforcement Division on Thursday. More: The Post and Courier | WSPA TV | The State.
McMaster directs agencies to review DJJ policies. Gov. Henry McMaster’s office announced Wednesday the Department of Juvenile Justice will be under new scrutiny after a critical audit of the agency. More: WISTV.
S.C. budget includes 3% raise to state employees. The state spending plan heading to the South Carolina House floor next week offers state employees a 3% raise and teachers a $1,000 bump in pay. More: WCSC TV.
S.C. among majority of states likely not to make shot goal. President Joe Biden is pushing to get at least 70 percent of adults vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 dual shot mRNA vaccines by July 4. Even as the nation is on track to reach that target, thirty states including South Carolina will probably not make that vaccine goal. More: The New York Times.
S.C. House to talk vaccine lottery next week. A House committee has drafted the state’s annual budget to include a 3% raise for state employees and a $1,000 bonus to public school teachers. But the spending plan does not include a proposal to offer a COVID-19 vaccine lottery — which may come up for debate on the House floor next week. More: AP News
SC-1: Vandals spray obscenities outside Mace’s home. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.,posted a video Tuesday of obscenities she said had been spray-painted outside of her Charleston-area home over the weekend. She also characterized the vandalism as including “antifa symbols,” although the A in a circle sprayed on her sidewalk has been a recognized symbol of anarchy for 50 years. More: AP News | Charleston City Paper.
- Charleston police investigating Denmark Vesey monument vandalism. More: Charleston City Paper.
SC-7: Former Myrtle Beach mayor to challenge Rice. Former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride announced his intention on June 3 to run for the congressional seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rice. More: The Post and Courier.
Development permits overturned for Charleston area spit. The decision by the state Supreme Court to overturn permits at Captain Sam’s Spit is a win for South Carolina conservationists in the long-running legal battle and carries far-reaching implications for how the state reviews development permits along the rapidly changing coast in the age of sea level rise. More: The Post and Courier.
Santee Cooper to be reformed, not sold to private owner. The South Carolina legislative leaders most ardent about selling state-owned utility Santee Cooper said Tuesday there are no interested buyers. More: AP News.
Sam Spence is editor of the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com.
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