"Unfortunately, some of our statewide Democratic candidates in the past have not run at the Republicans," McLeod told the Charleston Post and Courier "They've tried to imitate the Republicans, and I think that's why we lost. I'm going to run a modern, 21st century campaign that focuses on the issues that matter."
McLeod sent a letter Wednesday to delegates to the South Carolina Democratic party convention, which takes place this weekend, confirming his candidacy.
On his campaign Web site, McLeod's biography says he has "risen from modest means," but local political observers note he comes from a well-known political family. His father, W. Mullins McLeod, is an attorney, former city prosecutor and was the Democratic nominee for the 1st District congressional seat in 1982. His uncle, Walton McLeod, is a member of the state House.
McLeod is the third Democrat to enter the race for the open governor's seat -- Republican Gov. Mark Sanford will step down in 2010 due to term limits. State Sens. Vincent Sheheen and Robert Ford have also declared their intentions to run, and House Minority Leader Harry Ott is also reportedly interested.
Whoever comes out of the Democratic primary will have a tough race on their hands in the general election. Republicans have a registration advantage in the state and are likely to have at least three prominent candidates to choose from.
Rep. Gresham Barrett is running for the Republican nomination and South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov Andre Bauer are also likely candidates.
Republican Brent Nelsen, chairman of the political science department at Furman University in Greenville, is also running.
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