S.C. history maker has local roots

May 2—BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. — South Carolina state senator Mia McLeod made history the day she filed to run for governor across the border.

She was the Black woman to run for the office. McLeod is a native of Marlboro County, Scotland County's southern neighbor and she's the niece of Ella Alda Morris, who ran Morris Funeral Home in Laurinburg before her passing in December.

McLeod is one of five democratic candidates running to unseat incumbent governor Henry McMasters, who also faces a primary opponent in Harrison Musselwhite.

Saturday, McLeod returned to her hometown to greet the voters in an event sponsored by Bennettsville city councilman Tyrone Abraham, state representative Patricia Henegan and the Men of the Corner, a local social group.

McLeod spent about two hours mingling with voters and community members who stopped by the corner of Marshall Street and Mckay Circle.

McLeod addressed the crowd, laying out how she was glad to be home where she wasn't "Senator Mia, but Tracy McLeod's sister."

"I appreciate the prayers, I appreciate the love and support," she said to the crowd. "I am running for governor as all of you know. This is home for me and I love my hometown community. But what I don't love is the neglect that rural communities like ours have received from this governor and every other republican governor. But we can change that. God didn't say it would be easy, but he said it would be possible."

McLeod said she's no stranger to a fight, because she has to go through two races, the primary, then the general election.

"I've won every race I've ever run," she said. "That is not a testament to me, that is a testament to God. I know what He told me to do and I know why I am running. I believe we can create a South Carolina where everybody can thrive, where everybody matters, that is the reason why I'm running."

McLeod said she wants to create a South Carolina where young people want to stay.

"This is a moment in history," she said. "And when we win, Bennettsville and Marlboro County wins because I will never forget where I came from. I am who I am because of all of you."

McLeod's historic run will have far-reaching results for young people in Marlboro County watching her, said Abraham.

"Mia grew up as a little girl on these same streets," he said. "Now, she's running for governor of our state. We wanted to do something special that would be a great inspiration and get people out to vote."

Abraham said a young girl at the event told him that if McLeod can do this, she can do it too.

"It's an inspiration to hear the youth say things like that. You never know how this is going to inspire a young person to move forward and do anything."

Cheris Hodges can be reached at (910) 506-3169 or chodges@laurinburgexchange.com.