MORNING HEADLINES | Former state treasurer Thomas Ravenel of Charleston, who got national acclaim as an early “Southern Charm” reality TV star, announced last week he’d run for governor. And lickety split, now he’s not.
Ravenel, known by many as “T-Rav,” announced his short-lived campaign on X last Thursday: “I’m running for governor of South Carolina and none of the lightweights currently in the race are going to stop me,” he wrote. “I have a message that’s going to change not just South Carolina but the entire country.”
But less than a week later, the former “Southern Charm” star announced his decision to drop out, saying that he needed to focus on family: “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 wrote Tuesday on X. “Consequently, I hereby withdraw my intentions to be a gubernatorial candidate in 2026.”
Ravenel, a commercial real estate developer, won a statewide election for state treasurer in November 2006. But he resigned in July 2007 after being indicted on federal cocaine distribution charges. He later served 10 months in federal prison before then starring in five seasons of the Bravo reality-TV series.
No one can yet officially file to run for the seat to succeed current term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster, because filing has not yet opened. Those interested in the Republican primary in 2026 reportedly are Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Charleston.
In other recent headlines:
State attorney general calls Mace’s claims ‘categorically false’. S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson said claims U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace made about him and his office Monday night, during a nearly hour-long speech on the U.S. House of Representatives floor, are “categorically false.” In other stories related to Mace’s speech, her ex-fiance is denying sex abuse allegations, and she says a victim tip-line announced during the speech is flooded with calls.
SEWE headed back to Charleston this weekend. The annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition brings all sorts of mammals, birds and creepy crawlies down to the Charleston peninsula, with the help from volunteering eco-friendly organizations, nonprofits and county parks.
- CP COVERAGE: Top 8 picks for a fun SEWE weekend.
STEM event at Charleston all-girls private school cancelled due to federal DEI ban. The annual event at the all-girls Ashley Hall private school in downtown Charleston called “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day,” made possible thanks to a partnership with the Joint Base Charleston, has been canceled, leaving some families dismayed and disappointed. The reason? President Donald Trump’s federal ban on diversity, equity and inclusion.
ICE, Charleston sheriff’s partnership up in the air. Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said during his campaign that he would reinstate a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would use local resources to enforce immigration laws. However, Ritchie still has not brought Charleston County back into the 287(g) program, and did not answer directly about rejoining when asked.
Lawsuit claims company issued illegal parking tickets on Isle of Palms, Folly Beach. A class action lawsuit by the Anastopoulo Law Firm was filed Tuesday, claiming Folly Beach and the Isle of Palms have used a third-party contractor to hand out parking tickets illegally.
North Charleston police report 16% increase in vehicle break-ins. The North Charleston Police Department reported since Jan. 1 there have been 150 car break-ins in North Charleston, a 16% increase since last year.
Lowcountry representative makes history in S.C. When Rep. Harriet Holman, R-Dorchester, was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives during the Nov. 5 election, she made history as the first Black Republican woman in the state’s House of Representatives in history.
City of Charleston bringing historic park to James Island. The City of Charleston is starting on a new park to come to the Riverland Terrace neighborhood on James Island with the redevelopment of an old Civil War-era Fort Pemberton.
Green liquid in Charleston Harbor not harmful, officials say. A bright green liquid seen pouring into Charleston Harbor this week does not pose a risk to the environment and is non-toxic, according to city officials, and said that the dye is used around the world.
Charleston Southern University launches new tuition program. Charleston Southern University has launched the Palmetto Academic Excellence Award, which would cover tuition, housing and select food costs. The scholarship will be available to Pell-eligible students pursuing STEM degrees, nursing, accounting, aeronautics, kinesiology or education.
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