Thomas Ravenel changes mind on South Carolina gubernatorial run
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The former South Carolina treasurer who announced he would run for governor on Friday says he no longer plans to do so.
Thomas Ravenel posted on his X on Tuesday that he believes “this is not the time” to run.
“Being a single father of three young children, I believe this is not the time for me to be running for governor of South Carolina,” he said. “Consequently, I hereby withdraw my intentions to be a gubernatorial candidate in 2026. At this juncture of my life, it is much more important to raise my young family than to run for political office.”
Ravenel, 62, who identifies himself as a Libertarian on his X profile, announced he planned to run last week, saying none of the “lightweights” currently in the race would stop him.
He was expected to face three likely Republican candidates: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and First District U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace.
No one has officially filed to run for the seat to succeed current Gov. Henry McMaster, because filing has not yet opened.
Ravenel served as state treasurer for about seven months in 2007 before reg following a federal indictment on a drug charge. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted and sentenced to 10 months in prison.
He starred on the Bravo series “Southern Charm” from its premiere in 2014 until 2018 when he left the program after being accused of sexual assault. The following year, he would plead guilty to a charge of third-degree assault and battery and a judge sentenced him to 30 days suspended to a $500 fine.
As part of a plea agreement in the case, he also agreed to make an $80,000 payment to the nonprofit People Against Rape, which s sexual assault victims.
He unsuccessfully ran against U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2014, coming in third place with about 4% of the vote.
McMaster, who filled the last two years of then-Gov. Nikki Haley’s second term and was elected to two full of his own, became the state’s longest-serving governor last month. His second term ends in January 2027.
Ravenel is the son of the late Arthur Ravenel Jr., the former state lawmaker and U.S. Congressman credited for spearheading the effort to secure funds for the Arthur Ravenel Bridge.
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