Thomas Ravenel.Photo:Rodolfo Martinez/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Rodolfo Martinez/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Thomas Ravenelis running for office for a fourth time.
TheSouthern Charmalum, 62, announced on Thursday, Feb. 6, that he plans on entering the race for Governor of South Carolina in 2026. In astatement posted to X, Ravenel hinted at his intentions and shared a cryptic message for his opponents.
“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.”
Ravenel spent 30 days in an Arizona rehab later that year and pleaded guilty to “conspiring to buy and distribute less than 100 grams of cocaine,” for which he was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison.
In 2014, while appearing onSouthern Charm,he attempted to return to a government position when he once again ran for a U.S. Senate seat — this time as an independent candidate against incumbentLindsey Graham. Ravenel finished with 3.9 percent of the vote.
Rebecca Miller/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Then, in 2018, real estate agent Ashley Perkins, who met Ravenel in 2015 on a dating app, claimed he sexually assaulted her mother. Ravenel denied these allegations at the time but soon afterexitedSouthern Charm.
Hepleaded guilty to one charge of assault and batteryin the third degree in 2019 and was ordered to pay a $500 fine along with a 30-day suspended sentence. He also agreed to pay $80,000 to a nonprofit called People Against Rape as part of his plea deal.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Ravenel has also been outspoken about his political views in the past. In 2016, he supported now-PresidentDonald Trumpdespite his inability to vote after being convicted of a federal crime.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
