Walton McLeod
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Walton J. McLeod, III (b. June 30, 1937) is a circuit court judge for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. He was elected to the court by the South Carolina General Assembly on February 7, 2018, and his current term expired on June 30, 2024.[1]
McLeod is a former Democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 40 from 1996 to 2016. McLeod did not seek re-election to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2016.
Education
McLeod earned his B.A. from Yale University in 1959. He went on to receive his LLB from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1964. He then attended the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota in 1972 and the University of Nevada National Judicial College in 1993.
Career
McLeod worked as a Law Clerk for Chief Judge Clement Haynsworth of the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals from 1964 to 1965. He then worked as an attorney for Pope & Schumpert from 1965 to 1967. From 1967 to 1968, he was an Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Department of Justice's District of South Carolina. He then served as Deputy Attorney General for the South Carolina Office of Attorney General from 1987 to 1988. He was also General Counsel for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control from 1968 to 1994. McLeod served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant from 1959 to 1961. He also served in Active Duty in the Navy from 1959 to 1961, in 1963, and again in 1990. He served to Captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corps in the United States Navy Reserves from 1959 to 1992.
McLeod served as Mayor of the Town of Little Mountain from 1983 to 1989 and from 1993 to 1996.
Elections
2016
Elections for the South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The primary runoff election was held on June 28, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2016. Incumbent Walton McLeod (D) did not seek re-election.
Richard Martin defeated Carlton Kinard in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 40 general election.[2][3]
| South Carolina House of Representatives, District 40 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Richard Martin |
58.81% | 9,719 | |
| Democratic | Carlton Kinard | 41.19% | 6,807 | |
| Total Votes | 16,526 | |||
| Source: South Carolina State Election Commission | ||||
Carlton Kinard defeated Craig Kesler in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 40 Democratic primary.[4][5]
| South Carolina House of Representatives, District 40 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Carlton Kinard |
66.48% | 1,196 | |
| Democratic | Craig Kesler | 33.52% | 603 | |
| Total Votes | 1,799 | |||
| Source: South Carolina State Election Commission | ||||
Richard Martin defeated David Koon in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 40 Republican primary.[6][7]
| South Carolina House of Representatives, District 40 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Richard Martin |
72.82% | 1,774 | |
| Republican | David Koon | 27.18% | 662 | |
| Total Votes | 2,436 | |||
| Source: South Carolina State Election Commission | ||||
2014
Elections for all 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 30, 2014. Incumbent Walt McLeod was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Richard Martin was unopposed in the Republican primary. McLeod defeated Martin in the general election.[8][9][10]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Walt McLeod Incumbent |
60.1% | 6,623 | |
| Republican | Richard Martin | 39.9% | 4,388 | |
| Total Votes | 11,011 | |||
2012
McLeod ran unopposed in the Republican primary on June 12 and was unchallenged in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[11][12][13]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Walton McLeod Incumbent |
99.1% | 13,223 | |
| Other | Write-Ins | 0.9% | 122 | |
| Total Votes | 13,345 | |||
2010
McLeod ran unopposed in the June 8 Democratic primary for District 40 of the South Carolina House of Representatives. McLeod won, after running unopposed, in the general election on November 2[14].
| South Carolina House of Representatives, District 40 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Walt McLeod (D)
|
8,942 | 98.29% | ||
| Write-In | 156 | 1.71% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, McLeod won re-election, after running unopposed, to the South Carolina House of Representatives with 12,669 votes, representing District 40.
McLeod raised $1,295 for his campaign.[15]
| South Carolina House of Representatives, District 40 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Walton McLeod (D)
|
12,669 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
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McLeod and his wife, Julie, have one child. McLeod served as a Magistrate Judge for the Newberry County Magistrates Court from 1973 to 1981. In 1984, he was a Delegate to the Democratic National Committee. He then served as a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee from 1986 to 1990. He was also a State Committeeman for the Newberry County Democratic Party during this time. In 1988, McLeod served on the Democratic National Convention Committee.
State legislative tenure
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, McLeod served on the following committees:
| South Carolina committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Judiciary |
| • Legislative Oversight |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, McLeod served on the following committees:
| South Carolina committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Judiciary |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, McLeod served on the following committees:
| South Carolina committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Judiciary |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, McLeod served on the following committees:
| South Carolina committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Judiciary |
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2025.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- The Freedom Index — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2024.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2023.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The Institute for Legislative Analysis — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2022.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2021.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2020.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2019.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2018.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2015.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2014.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- Greenville Tea Party — Legislators are scored by the Greenville Tea Party on their votes on bills "related to jobs, spending, and freedom."
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2013.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- Greenville Tea Party — Legislators are scored by the Greenville Tea Party on their votes on bills "related to jobs, spending, and freedom."
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2012.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- Palmetto Liberty — Legislators are scored by Palmetto Liberty on bills related to "limited government, the free market, and individual liberty and responsibility."
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2011.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- Palmetto Liberty — Legislators are scored by Palmetto Liberty on bills related to "limited government, the free market, and individual liberty and responsibility."
- South Carolina Business & Industry Political Education Committee — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and industry issues.
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce on their votes on bills "that directly impact the business climate and competitiveness of the state."
See also
- Courts in South Carolina
- South Carolina Circuit Courts
- Judicial selection in South Carolina
- South Carolina State Legislature
- South Carolina House of Representatives
- South Carolina House of Representatives Committees
- South Carolina Joint Committees
- South Carolina state legislative districts
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- South Carolina Judicial Department: Circuit Map
- South Carolina Judicial Department: Judge Walton J. McLeod, IV Biography
- Profile from Open States
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions via Follow the Money
Footnotes
- ↑ South Carolina Judicial Department, "Judge Walton J. McLeod, IV," accessed July 2, 2018
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "Candidate listing for the 11/8/2016 statewide general election," accessed August 26, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "2016 Statewide General Election," accessed November 28, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidate Tracking," accessed March 31, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "Unofficial primary election results," accessed June 14, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidate Tracking," accessed March 31, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "Unofficial primary election results," accessed June 14, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "Election Results," accessed June 10, 2014
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "Official general election results," accessed November 13, 2014
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "2014 Election Information," accessed March 31, 2014
- ↑ AP.org, "South Carolina State Senate and State House Election Results," accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ AP.org, "South Carolina State Senate and State House Election Results," accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "2012 Candidates," accessed April 20, 2012
- ↑ www.enr-scvotes.org, "2010 General Election Results," accessed May 1, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2008 campaign contributions," accessed May 15, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
South Carolina House of Representatives District 40 1996–2016 |
Succeeded by Richard Martin (R) |
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of South Carolina • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of South Carolina
State courts:
South Carolina Supreme Court • South Carolina Court of Appeals • South Carolina Circuit Courts • South Carolina Masters-in-Equity • South Carolina Family Courts • South Carolina Magistrate Courts • South Carolina Municipal Courts • South Carolina Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in South Carolina • South Carolina judicial elections • Judicial selection in South Carolina
