COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod will leave the Democratic race for South Carolina governor and endorse state Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Camden.
McLeod said on Friday that Sheheen shares similar values and vision for the state. McLeod said he will join the Sheheen campaign and fight for the change that is desperately needed in the state.
"I am ending my candidacy for Governor and will not seek any elected office in 2010," said McLeod. "However, I am not going anywhere. I will continue to fight for change by endorsing and campaigning for Vincent Sheheen."
Sheheen said he was surprised when McLeod called him on Thursday to discuss his plans.
"I'm really excited about working with Mullins," said Sheheen.
Rumors of McLeod withdrawing from the gubernatorial race and taking on U.S. Senator Jim DeMint are false.
"I do not plan on seeking any elected office in 2010 because that will distract me from my goal of putting a Democratic governor in office," he said.
McLeod's exit is the first from the Democrat side of what had been a five-way race. Republicans had their first casualty of the race last month when state Sen. Larry Grooms dropped of the GOP's five-way race.
Candidates have said raising money has been tough. McLeod has not released the details on what he plans to do with the money raised on the campaign trail.
cash for the campaign to replace Republican Gov. Mark Sanford. His second term ends in January 2011.
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