Senator Mia McLeod

Mia S. McLeod (born August 19, 1968) is an independent American politician. She currently serves as a member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 22nd district, which includes Kershaw and Richland Counties. McLeod has been an influential figure in state politics, and her career highlights include:

• Early Life and Education:

  • Daughter of the late James S. and Shirley J. McLeod.
  • Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina.
  • Holds a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

• Career:

  • President of McLeod Butler Communications, LLC.
  • Previously worked in various state agencies, including the Office of the South Carolina Attorney General.
  • Served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2011 to 2016.
  • Elected to the South Carolina Senate in 2017, representing District 22.
  • Notably, McLeod became the first Black woman to run for Governor of South Carolina in the 2022 election.

• Policy Positions:

  • Advocated for reproductive rights and codification of Roe v. Wade.
  • Sponsored a bill imposing similar restrictions on access to Viagra and similar drugs for erectile dysfunction as those placed on abortion rights.

In April 2024, Senator McLeod announced that she would not seek another term in the South Carolina Senate. Her impact on state politics and her historic candidacy for governor have left a lasting mark.