Thomas Ravenel exits South Carolina governor race days after candidacy announcement

FILE – In a Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014 file photo, Independent U.S. Senate candidate Thomas Ravenel speaks to the West Ashley Rotary Club, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins, File)

(WCIV) — Merely days after announcing his candidacy to be governor of South Carolina in 2026, former reality television star and previous State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel announced he is no longer in the running.

Known for his role on the Bravo reality-television series “Southern Charm,” Ravenel announced on X Tuesday he’d changed his mind saying,

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. 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.

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. 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…

— Thomas Ravenel (@Thomasravenel) February 11, 2025

Ravenel’s short-lived candidacy was not met without backlash. In 2007, Ravenel resigned from his position as state treasurer amid federal cocaine distribution charges. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Then in 2019, Ravenel avoided jail time after pleading guilty to the assault of a nanny in 2015.

As for potential candidates in 2026, Rep. Nancy Mace has already said she is considering running for governor.

Also thought of as potential governor candidates are Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.