Beleaguered Bravo star Thomas Ravenel, who formerly served as the South Carolina state treasurer, has announced his bid to become governor in 2026.
“I’m running for Governor of South Carolina and none of the lightweights currently in the race are going to stop me,” the former “Southern Charm” star tweeted on Thursday evening.
“I have a message that’s going to change not just South Carolina but the entire country.”
Ravenel briefly held the role of South Carolina’s treasurer back in 2007 but resigned following a federal indictment accusing him of purchasing cocaine. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to a 10-month jail term.
I’m running for Governor of South Carolina and none of the lightweights currently in the race are going to stop me. I have a message that’s going to change not just South Carolina but the entire country.
— Thomas Ravenel (@Thomasravenel) February 7, 2025
His political ambitions weren’t sidelined, despite his conviction. Ravenel pursued a Senate seat unsuccessfully twice.
His first attempt in 2004 ended with a $19,500 fine from the Federal Election Commission for delays in filing his campaign’s financial reports.
He took another shot in 2014, running as an independent to unseat Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
Thomas Ravenel for Governor of South Carolina! https://t.co/vPzCbPw2rn pic.twitter.com/C2K0BJGf0I
— Crassus Tseng (@SonOfCrassus) February 7, 2025
That campaign faced its own shadow when Ravenel was accused of assaulting former “Southern Charm” cast mate and paramour Kathryn Dennis’ hairdresser, Lauren Moser, at his Charleston home.
Although no criminal charges were filed, the accusations added weight to his already controversial profile.
However, his legal battles haven’t stopped the former reality star from seeking to hold another public office.
Speaking to The Hill on Friday, Ravenel confirmed, “I will be running for governor in 2026 as a Republican.”
This is who Will Folks endorses?
There has to be more options…@Thomasravenel is a fking gif ffs. No thanks https://t.co/HF4VAHsS7D pic.twitter.com/kj2vXwVFke
— Salty Steno (@OnTheRecordSC) February 2, 2025
His campaign centers on transforming South Carolina’s education and improving the state’s business environment.
“We need to, in South Carolina, voucherize the entire system, education system, or allow competition, either through vouchers or through charter schools, which are publicly run, but it allows the charter school to escape all these regulations imposed by the unions in South Carolina,” Ravenel stated.
He further added, “Although we don’t have teacher’s unions down here, but you know, the Legislature will want to comply with national standards, and those standards are set by the unions, so we need to allow schools the freedom to fire bad teachers, or to innovate, or we have to educate our kids.”
Ravenel is also pitching South Carolina as a more attractive state for business growth. “You take a look at the neighboring states, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee. Take a look at it, Texas, these places,” he began.
“I mean, trillions of dollars are entering into these states because they have a competitive tax system. We don’t,” he explained.
Having appeared on five seasons of Bravo’s “Southern Charm,” a show focused on the elite dating scene in Charleston, Ravenel gained a significant public profile.
However, his tenure ended after allegations of second-degree assault and battery arose in 2018.
The claims were made by a former nanny who stated Ravenel had sexually assaulted her.
He later pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and battery, which resulted in a 30-day jail sentence converted into probation, a $500 fine, and an $80,000 payment to a nonprofit aiding sexual assault survivors. Bravo announced his departure from the show soon after these events.
Despite his pronounced ambition, Ravenel’s official filing to run for governor will not be possible until next year.
Other South Carolina politicians have expressed interest in vying for the position as current Governor Henry McMaster faces term limits.
Among those considering entering the race is Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who will give Ravenel some stiff competition if she runs.
When asked about her possible candidacy, she stated, “I’ve been in the state Legislature before, I have great relationships in Washington now, and I’ve acquired the leadership necessary to be bold, to make sure that we are moving forward with conservative policies.”
She added in a recent interview, “I have made a difference in the work that I have done up here, and know that I could do even more at the state level.”