Perhaps proving again that imitation is the sincerest form of politics, a controversial S.C. businessman-turned-politician-turned-reality TV star with a famous family name and a felony conviction on his record announced on Feb. 6 that he was planning to run for the state’s highest office.
And then, on Feb. 11, he announced he wasn’t.
Former Republican state treasurer and “Southern Charm” star Thomas Ravenel, whose 2007 guilty plea on federal cocaine charges crashed a once high-flying career in state politics, made both announcements on the X social media platform.
“I’m running for governor of South Carolina and none of the lightweights currently in the race are going to stop me,” Ravenel said in his campaign kickoff post. “I have a message that’s going to change not just South Carolina but the entire country.”
But five days later, he said change would have to wait, while he attended to family obligations.
“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,” Ravenel wrote. “Consequently, I hereby withdraw my intentions to be a gubernatorial candidate in 2026.”
Ravenel was the first announced candidate in — and then the first out — of the race. Other Republicans thought to be contemplating a race to replace term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster include Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, 1st District U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace and wealthy Upstate businessman John Warren.
Next week in the Statehouse
The S.C. House and Senate are expected to reconvene at noon Feb. 18 with several bills awaiting floor action. On the calendar in the House is a bill to impose stiffer sentences on organized shoplifting rings. In the Senate, lawmakers plan to consider legislation creating and establishing penalties for the criminal offense of “obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse.”
Committees also will meet throughout the week. Highlights include consideration of a bill requiring medical providers to file insurance claims on behalf of their patients, and legislative oversight hearings for three state agencies: the Department of Children’s Advocacy, the Department on Aging and the Office of the Attorney General.
- A complete listing of streamable committee meetings is available on the Statehouse website at scstatehouse.gov/video/schedule.php.
In other recent news
Mace takes to House floor with stunning charges of rape, sexual predation. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., used her House floor privileges to lodge shocking accusations involving rape, sexual exploitation and domestic abuse against her former fiancé and three other men. She also alleged that S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, a likely Mace opponent in the 2026 governor’s race, has dragged his feet in the investigation. The accused men have all issued denials.
- MORE: SLED confirms assault, voyeurism investigation underway after Mace speech
- SLED probe of Mace’s sex abuse accusations has been open for 14 months
- State attorney general calls Mace’s claims against him and his office ‘categorically false.’
S.C. Supreme Court once again takes up abortion issue. With a heartbeat abortion ban solidly in place in South Carolina, lawyers for the state and Planned Parenthood return to the state’s highest court Wednesday to argue how restrictive the ban should be.
S.C. House approves controversial energy bill. A controversial energy bill that would make it easier to build fossil fuels plants in S.C. passed the S.C. House 94-11 Wednesday. A similar bill died in the S.C. Senate last year.
S.C. senators advance DOGE plan, with eye toward regulations. A panel of senators advanced a resolution Thursday creating a commission proponents say aims to reduce burdensome regulations and cut down on government spending.
S.C. Senate president makes case for fentanyl homicide bill. S.C. Senate President Thomas Alexander (R-Oconee) argued on behalf of S. 156, a bill he’s offering to toughen prison sentences for fentanyl dealers in overdose cases, before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee Wednesday. A similar bill died without a vote last year in the S.C. House.
Lawmakers ice Scout’s plan to sell directly to S.C. customers. Under current state law, car makers must sell their new cars through an authorized dealership, rather than directly to the customer. At a Wednesday S.C. House hearing, legislators said efforts to change the law would have to wait until a compromise with local dealers could be worked out.
Proposed bill could slash property taxes for boat owners. S.C. Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Georgetown, introduced a bill that could bring major relief to boat owners and the marine industry by slashing 50% of property taxes for boat owners.
Minors would need parental permission to use social media under S.C. House bill. An S.C. House panel advanced legislation that would require parents to give their permission for anyone under the age of 18 to download a social media app. A similar bill failed in the S.C. Senate last year.
Lowcountry representative makes history in S.C. When Rep. Harriet Holman, R-Dorchester, was elected to the S.C. House on Nov. 5, she made history as the first Black Republican woman in the chamber’s history.
Upstate GOP businessman kicks off challenge to Graham. Greenville businessman Mark Lynch, owner of Jeff Lynch Appliance Center, officially kicked off his campaign Monday against incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham.
What will S.C. voters look like in 2026? South Carolinians will return to the polls next year to choose our state’s next governor. If voter participation trends from the last decade are any indication, only about half of all registered voters will decide who will be placed in the Palmetto State’s highest executive seat.
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