Former South Carolina state treasurer and reality television personality Thomas Ravenel has officially entered the 2026 gubernatorial race, becoming the first candidate to announce a bid. Ravenel made his campaign launch public in a late-night post on social media, stating his intention to shake up the political landscape.
Ravenel, a real estate developer, has outlined a platform centered on education reform and tax policy. His proposals include eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and advocating for a broad K-12 private school voucher program in South Carolina. He has criticized the current administration for not enacting a statewide voucher system and has expressed frustration with existing policies that he believes hinder school choice.
A longtime critic of South Carolina’s tax structure, Ravenel has argued that the state’s income tax rates make it one of the least competitive states in the Southeast. While acknowledging that the top marginal tax rate of 6.2% is the highest in the region, he has suggested eliminating income taxes altogether and replacing them with other revenue sources. Last fiscal year, income tax collections contributed nearly 45% of the state’s general fund revenues, totaling $6.1 billion.
Ravenel comes from a well-known South Carolina political family. His father, Arthur Ravenel Jr., served as a state senator and congressman and was the namesake of the Ravenel Bridge connecting Charleston to Mount Pleasant. Thomas Ravenel first gained political recognition in 2006 when he was elected state treasurer. However, his tenure was short-lived, as he resigned in 2007 following a federal conviction for cocaine possession. He later served a 10-month prison sentence.
Beyond politics, Ravenel is widely known for his role on Bravo’s reality TV series Southern Charm, where he was a main cast member for five seasons. His time on the show ended in 2018, and he has since largely remained out of the public eye except for occasional political commentary.
Ravenel previously attempted a political comeback in 2014 when he ran as an independent candidate for U.S. Senate against incumbent Lindsey Graham, ultimately finishing third with less than 4% of the vote.
While Ravenel is the first to formally enter the race, other potential candidates are expected to join soon. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has been traveling across the state while considering a bid, and Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette are also seen as likely contenders. With Gov. Henry McMaster unable to seek another term due to term limits, the race for South Carolina’s top executive office is expected to draw significant attention in the coming months.
