Another influential Democrat has left the Democratic Party.
Mia McLeod, who campaigned unsuccessfully for governor of South Carolina last year, stated that she was leaving the party “because it no longer espouses the values my constituents and I hold dear.”
McLeod stated in an email to supporters on Tuesday morning that she reached the decision after “seven months of prayer and reflection,” presumably since finishing second in the June 14 gubernatorial primary. She was the state’s first black candidate for governor, as reported by The Columbia State.
McLeod stated that her parents had educated her to support people whose “visions and ideals” most closely aligned with her own, and that this worldview had frequently compelled her to oppose the Democratic Party.
“[I]t hurts to admit how often I’ve had to fight my own party, just to help my own people,” she wrote.
“By not engaging, enlightening or expanding the electorate … refusing to publicize the June Primary and getting a historical top of the ticket ‘shellacking’ on November 8, the party ensured a republican super-majority and the losses of eight black legislators in the SC House, five of whom were black women,” she explained. “Yet, a recent SCDP fundraising email acknowledges, ‘Black voters are the backbone of our party …’ which makes me cringe because I’ve experienced first-hand how the party treats black voters and black women who run statewide.”
McLeod’s declaration did not specify whether she would attempt to join the Republicans or connect herself with a third party, but the closing paragraph of her email may provide a clue as to her aim.
“This is a new year,” she wrote. “It’s time for a new direction. So, with unprecedented clarity and perspective, I’ll continue to move forward in faith … boldly, fearlessly and yes … independently — always eager to work with any person or party that prioritizes our people … ever mindful of who and whose I am and why God has placed me in this space, ‘for such a time as this …’” (emphasis original).
The use of bold font to highlight “independently” may indicate that McLeod intends to stay politically unattached, at least for the time being.
Former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard also announced in October that she would be quitting the Democratic Party. Two months later, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema followed suit. Neither woman is associated with a political party at the present time, although Sinema continues to caucus with the Democrats.
The text of the letter McLeod sent to supporters on Tuesday is reproduced in its original version below:
New Year, New Direction!
After two long years of campaigning…
I took some much-needed time to pray, rest, reflect and recharge. And although I wasn’t the SC Democratic Party’s (SCDP’s) gubernatorial nominee, I’m truly grateful to all of you who supported me…and those of you who didn’t. I mean that sincerely, because I trust God’s Plan for my life.
In September, I was one of twenty black women legislators from across the country who was invited to travel to Israel! It was a life-changing journey and one you’ll hear more about because I’m super-excited to be writing my first book!
After seven months of prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to leave the SC Democratic Party because it no longer espouses the values my constituents and I hold dear. I want you to be the first to know that my decision isn’t meant to disparage anyone who identifies as a SC democrat, but the SCDP’s “party-focused” approach doesn’t work for the people.
And if it doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work for me.
My parents taught us to always vote for the person whose vision and values were most aligned with ours. I’ve stayed true to that by working with and supporting honest, compassionate, empathetic servant-leaders of both parties. But, after fighting republicans and democrats for the past twelve years…it hurts to admit how often I’ve had to fight my own party, just to help my own people.
And I’m not just talking about people who look like me. My house and senate districts have consistently been among our state’s most diverse. So, my people are hard-working South Carolinians of all races, genders, ethnicities, generations, faiths, political ideologies and socio-economic backgrounds who believe as I do, that their lives and livelihoods matter…too.
Yes, I’ve run as a Democrat, while serving my constituents with integrity and independence…the latter often putting me at odds with the SCDP establishment. But, working alongside some amazing colleagues, candidates and community members, who genuinely give your all to improve our state, reminds me that like my parents, many of you have sacrificed and worked hard to help build and strengthen the SC Democratic Party.
And sadly, you’re the very people the party seems to have forgotten.
Childhood memories of welcoming Democratic Party and NAACP members into our family’s funeral home for meetings and community events and my Dad serving as Bennettsville’s first black city councilman after Reconstruction, are always with me. Whatever his challenges, the SCDP worked with him…not against him. They were unified by their individual and collective mission to improve the lives of every person they served.
As the first woman to represent House District 79, first woman and African-American to represent Senate District 22 and first black woman to run for governor of SC, my mission is to advance a “people-focused” platform that genuinely improves lives, since I’m now even more enlightened about the true state of our state and why so many of us lack the representation and resources we need to thrive here.
And the more my sons talk about their desire to live anywhere but South Carolina, the more it hurts that our best and brightest continue to leave our state in droves and have for decades.
Meanwhile, the SCDP establishment hasn’t made any significant changes or won a gubernatorial race in 20 years. By not engaging, enlightening or expanding the electorate… refusing to publicize the June Primary and getting a historical top of the ticket “shellacking” on November 8, the party ensured a republican super-majority and the losses of eight black legislators in the SC House, five of whom were black women.
More on this story via The Western Journal:
Yet, a recent SCDP fundraising email acknowledges, “Black voters are the backbone of our party…” which makes me cringe because I’ve experienced first-hand how the party treats black voters and black women who run statewide. CONTINUE READING…
