Two Sips from the Blue Cup

A Look at South Carolina’s Democratic Gubernatorial Field — For Now

Aug 12, 2025

"You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." - Shirley Chisholm

On the left representative Jermaine Johnson, right W Mullins McLeod Jr.

Welcome Back to the Tea Table 🍵✨

Welcome back, my dear defenders — both the seasoned sentinels who’ve kept the tea table warm through many a storm, and the bright-eyed newcomers who have just found their way to our corner of conversation. Your presence here is a gift, a golden thread in the tapestry we are weaving together — one of watchfulness, wit, and the unwavering defense of our shared future. Every time you pour a cup alongside me, you add your light to the lantern we hold aloft.

Not long ago, we spilled a particularly colorful pot of tea — Clown Car on the State House Steps — which became, to my delight and astonishment, the most-read piece ever to grace this page. (I included the link for those who missed the raucous parade — it’s worth the stroll.) Today however, we turn the banners blue, setting our gaze across the aisle. It is time to speak of the Democrats vying for South Carolina’s highest office.

Let it be said plainly: whether you carry a blue banner, a red one, or none at all, there is but one way to earn an endorsement from this publication — you must first earn it. Party colors alone will not suffice; what matters is the courage of your convictions, the clarity of your plans, and the constancy of your service to the people you seek to lead.

From Red Crowds to Blue Whispers 🎭💙

No my dear ones, let us first acknowledge the curious symmetry — or perhaps the curious paucity — that now defines our partisan landscape. On the Republican side, a crowded circus is already in full swing: Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Representative Nancy Mace, Representative Ralph Norman, and State Senator Josh Kimbrell have all officially entered the field. Complete with squeaking shoes and big red noses each candidate more ridiculous than the last, all pandering to the Orangutan in Chief.

If the Republican Primary feels like a circus, then the current democratic offerings feel more like the Starshollow History Museum: sad, dusty and a little bare. There is one declared candidate, Charleston trial attorney Mullins McLeod. While no other candidates have officially declared State Representative Jermaine Johnson—who has yet to announce fully—has formed an exploratory committee. The real question however is do these contenders carry the courage of their convictions? It's not the volume of voices that earns our favor — it is the resonance of purpose.

Promises in the Preamble, Cracks in the Cup 🏛️☕

First to our table is Mullins McLeod, a Charleston trial attorney whose campaign pledges carry much that we can agree upon. He speaks of cleaning up corruption, of reforming education, of economic fairness, and of restoring public trust in government — and in the broad brushstrokes, those are commitments this publication can nod to with a smile.

But my dear defenders, policy is not the only measure by which a leader is judged. Strength of character, steadiness under fire, and a record of service that speaks louder than words — these are equally vital. And here, the tea grows a bit more bitter. Just this past May, McLeod was arrested for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct, while plainly under the influence of other substances. Let us be clear: mistakes are human, and redemption is always possible. But this was no youthful misstep — this was a recent lapse, one that raises rightful questions about judgment and discipline in the very season he seeks the state’s highest office.

There is, too, his courtroom renown — McLeod has secured record-breaking personal injury awards for his clients, a feat that suggests sharp wit and formidable skill as a litigator. Furthermore his undergraduate studies make him a terrier, which as a terrier myself means I know firsthand the quality of the wide curriculum he was exposed to. Truly, we need a litigator in this fight for South Carolina’s future. But we need one whose focus is not merely on winning for some, but on protecting and uplifting all the people they serve.

While we are not yet ready to strike McLeod’s name from consideration, let no one mistake this for an early endorsement. He stands a long way from earning the trust and confidence this tea table requires — and we will be watching closely to see if his actions rise to match his words. For me it comes down to what a proud terrier once told me:

Telling me you graduated from my Alma Mater is a good thing and a bad thing. I immediately know you as one of the community, but by naming yourself a terrier you name yourself in a proud collection and set a standard by which you will be judged.

Lady LiberTea will be watching Mr. McLeod—very closely.

A Rising Voice from the Lowcountry 🌅🗣️

While not officially declared it is all but certain that Jermaine Johnson, the state representative whose life story reads like a testament to resilience— could become a substantial force in this race.

Raised amid the trials of poverty, gun violence, and homelessness in Los Angeles, Johnson found his escape—and eventual calling—on the basketball court. A standout at the College of Charleston, he played professionally overseas before returning home with a doctorate in Organizational Leadership. There, he founded the New Economic Beginnings Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering troubled youth and veterans with employment skills and support. Today, he wears many hats: consultant, adjunct professor, public servant, community builder, and, of course, lawmaker.

First elected to the South Carolina House in 2020—by unseating a 22-year veteran—Johnson has earned praise from both sides of the aisle for his independent, centrist bent and his focus on substantive issues: education, economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, and working-class families. He’s known for forming a rare coalition with his Republican colleagues—even earning public admiration from conservative politicians who credit him with fairness and focus.

On May 31, 2025, Johnson took his first step toward the gubernatorial ring by forming an exploratory committee to assess support and consider a run for governor in 2026. In announcing his intent, he said he wanted to ensure Democrats didn’t give "anyone a free path to the governor’s mansion"—a statement revealing not only ambition, but also a willingness to force earnest competition where none yet exists.

Strengths — and Shadows Still to Watch

What we see in Johnson is a leader forged by struggle, committed to service, and practiced in the art of building relationships across party lines. He speaks not in polish, but in lived experience—and that matters.

Yet, Johnson remains untested on the main stage of a statewide election. No scandal mars his record, but the question lingers: can a man whose strength has been community by community, bill by bill, now hold the complex pressures of statewide leadership with equal grace? And will he be able to unite not just his base, but a broader electorate weary of two-party gridlock and known for elected white, male, governors?

At present, Johnson stands as both a hopeful and a placeholder—promising, but still under consideration. We’ll be watching his next steps, his moves to expand reach beyond district lines, and his capacity to translate his compelling story into a campaign of substance and gravity. With Johnson as a possible contender we remain cautiously optimistic.

Mark Your Calendars, Guard Your Hopes 📅💡

And so, dear defenders, the Democratic side of this race stands — for now — as a slender branch with just two buds: one declared, one still considering the bloom. Mullins McLeod brings policy promises we can applaud, but must yet prove the steadiness of his hand and heart. Jermaine Johnson offers a story of resilience and service, yet remains untested under the full heat of a statewide spotlight.

This, then, is not the season for passive spectatorship. South Carolina deserves more than a contest decided by default. We need contenders who will stand tall for all her people — who will match principle with action, and words with the long labor of governance.

And so, dear readers, now that you have finished your cup of courage — mark your calendars: the filing window for the Democratic primary opens on March 16, 2026, and closes at noon on March 30, 2026 — the only interval in which anyone may earn the right to be on the ballot, and potentially, the right to our endorsement.

Until then, our eyes remain on the horizon, watching to see who else might step forward, who will refine their message, and who will earn the trust to carry not just a party banner, but the hopes of an entire state.

Endorsements here are never given lightly — they must be earned sip by sip, step by step.

Until our Next Bold Move,

~Lady LiberTea ✨ 🫖

Step In, Step Up 📢✨

If you’ve ever thought someone should run — perhaps it’s you. From school boards to city councils, from county commissions to the governor’s race, our democracy needs defenders in every seat. If South Carolina’s Democratic field feels too small, that’s an invitation, not a defeat.

Learn how to take the first step:

Run for Something — Recruiting and supporting diverse, progressive candidates nationwide.
Emerge America — Training Democratic women to run and win.
Vote Run Lead — Equipping women from all backgrounds to seek elected office.
Ballotpedia’s Candidate Guide — Nonpartisan information on filing deadlines, requirements, and resources.

And if you’re not ready to run, you can still shape the field. Share this post so others know who’s in the race — and who’s not. The more eyes on this conversation, the more voices we bring to the table.

Stay safe out there defenders, and whether you are here in South Carolina or you are across the sea always remember your voice matters. Make sure its heard.

~L.L. ✨ 🫖