Businessman, reality television star and former South Carolina State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel will run as an independent for the United States Senate seat currently held by liberal “Republican” Lindsey Graham. Ravenel made his Senate candidacy official prior to attending a Fourth of July rally in Greenville, S.C.
“It’s time for voters across our state and this country to declare their independence from a failed two-party system – one that no longer represents their interests or the interests of Americans to come,” the star of Bravo’s ‘Southern Charm’ said. “Election after election of choosing the lesser of two evils has our economy and our freedoms on a downward slide – but there’s still time to change the road we’re on. To do that, though, we need a real debate and a real choice – candidates who are offering real ideas to turn things around.”
Ravenel, 51, said his campaign would offer specific policies aimed at redefining the relationship between citizens and their government – something neither major party is willing or able to do.
“Government doesn’t belong in your boardroom, your bedroom or your email inbox,” he said. “But its presence in every aspect of our lives continues to grow. Democrats keep dictating choices in our marketplaces and Republicans keep telling us who we can and cannot love. And both parties want to keep spending like there’s notomorrow while they spy on us to make sure we don’t step out of line. All of this leads to less prosperity and liberty – and more dependency and fear.”
In declaring his candidacy, Ravenel spoke frankly about his past – including the ten months he spent in a federal prison following a 2007 drug arrest. He said he expected to be attacked over the issue – and was ready to defend himself.
“I’m an imperfect messenger, I know that – but somebody’s got to stand up for the message,” Ravenel said. “Also, the last time I checked there are plenty of ‘perfect’ messengers out there who are bankrupting our Treasury, destroying our economy, and sending our sons and daughters off to die and be disfigured in places we have no business fighting.”
Ravenel said crafting a new foreign policy would be a centerpiece of his campaign.
“Ill-conceived interventions and this constant flip-flopping of allegiances between terrorist organizations does not make us safer – it only makes another attack on our homeland more likely,” Ravenel said. “We absolutely must have the world’s strongest military to protect our borders and secure our national interests – but our national defense is weakened by politically motivated pork projects, failed attempts at nation-building and picking up the tab for wealthy countries that won’t defend themselves.”
Ravenel will submit his signatures to appear on the November 2014 ballot to the S.C. Election Commission (SCEC) next week.
(Editor’s Note: The above communication is a news release from a candidate for elected office and does not necessarily reflect the editorial position of FITSNews.com. To submit your letter, news release, email blast, media advisory or issues statement for publication, click here).
28 comments
“Businessman, reality television star and former South Carolina State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel will run as an independent for the United States Senate…” and let’s not forget his drug felony conviction.
It appears it’s not just the lesser of two evils but the lesser of three.
Very good (more truthful) analytical companion piece at: http://scdigest.blogspot.com/
I’m just amazed this was shoved down into the “also-ran” section and not plastered up in the lead stories like the weekly blow job pieces have been. Maybe there’s hope…nah.
Sanford with his libertarian leaning ways could have left the GOP as well… if he had any gonads, but he knows who butters his bread and he just loves that gravy train. Based on that NY Times article, and his untimely and uncontrollable urge to urinate, I’d say his prostate has seen better days. He’s likely to play it safe while his gonads go on the retreat.
Ravenel on the other hand has nothing to lose except his own money and doesn’t give a hoot. Plus his gonads have recently proven themselves (or so we are led to believe.)
Never heard of him.
Former State treasurer Thomas Ravenel was the drinking buddy and cocaine friend of current State treasurer Curtis Loftis. He, like Loftis, would do the people of South Carolina a big favor by leaving public service to people who are qualified to serve. They think of serving themselves only, me..me…me..
The narcissism of the so called reformed reprobates like Sanford and Ravenel won’t allow them to stay out of the public eye for any length of time. Unfortunately for them, the suspicion that they were never “all that” to begin with, has turned to reality. They continue to cling to their delusions aided by the misinformed who are “all-in” on the ego drivens’ image management. Chapur and Dennis have hitched their wagons to their respective horses while the horse flies buzz. It is early in the game yet for T-Rav. Maybe having a younger, broken in American wagon rather than a weathered, converted South American one will make all the difference. The hitches on both those wagons are obviously impaired.
It wouldn’t shock me if he pulls enough votes to thwart Lindsey’s re-election.
T-Rav’s “supporters” will wind up hurting the democrat challenger more.
No way.
There ain’t no way that Graham’s traditional supporter will vote for either a drug dealing independent or a Democrat. The only votes T-Rav will siphon off will be from Hutto. Sure, he’ll get a few of Lindsey’s former supporters but Lindsey drew twice the number of votes against 8 challengers than were cast for Hutto – he drew 80% of the total votes cast by Democrats.
To believe that a drug dealer, playboy drunk driver, “baby daddy” will affect that is frankly delusional. T-Rav’s TV show probably doesn’t draw enough viewers to beat Lindsey if they all voted for his sorry ass.
I can’t , in good conscience , vote for Graham, I won’t vote for Hutto, and there is no use to vote for the Liberal-tarian. We gave Sanford another chance, T-Rav has paid his debt to society. He was a good treasurer for a while. I don’t see anything wrong in voting for him.Especially with the crowd he is running against. I will be voting for T-RAV in Nov. Where do I get a petition? Oh, I already have several.
Typical Republican hypocrite. We’re the party of morals, as long as morals don’t get in the way of power. I.E. I can stomach a drug dealer baby daddy, as long as he is not poor and black.
Don’t give me any crap about “poor and black” Which one of the candidates fits that description ? BTW, I supported Tim Scott when he was in the house and was there when Nikki appointed him to the US Senate. Easily one of the most noble senators in DC.
He was a good treasurer? Did you miss the FEC violations? He couldn’t even balance his own check book.
He was a good treasurer for a while? Six months to be exact! What a great treasurer!! And you don’t see anything wrong in voting for him! It shows how stupid you are.. cocaine and drug abuser, sex parties..drunk driving..Stupid, you are. Your conscience is not worth 2 cents
GFY
GFY back at you! You do not like what I said. It is so painful when you are exposed for what you are! Before you endorse and brag about someone, please think .. We need people who are able and qualified to serve in public service, not some convicted cocaine felon with multiple problems. And please work on that conscience of yours!
Think before you show your stupidity. You have Graham, probably the worst (R) senator in the senate, you have Hutto, makes the DUI laws in Cola, defends DUI defendants in courts he appoints the judges. The liberal-tarian has a 10% chance. It’s not like we have a great group to choose from. “We need people who are able and qualified to serve in public service.” Which of the above is your choice ? How much better is he than Thomas ? See what I mean ?
You brag about voting but you lost your voting right long ago. Only a felon could vote for a convicted felon like Ravenel! But a felon cannot vote! I would not vote for a turd! never! Public service is a privilege that cannot be done by a cocaine turd! You are not very smart, RogueElephant!
USA Today puts it best:
Reality TV star busted for cocaine to run for U.S. Senate
http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2014/07/06/thomas-ravenel-lindsey-graham-senate-south-carolina/
Good catch! That is (of course) how any fair minded outlet will play it. Will can bromance Ravenel all he likes and spin numbers, massage facts, and attempt to re-cast history all the way until November. It’s Graham, unless he implodes. Then it would actually go to Hutto. Ravenel will likely con 10-20,000 voters to punch his name if he’s on the ballot; about 5,000 if he’s a write-in (out of what will probably be almost 2,000,000 votes to be cast in November). Pretty much everyone gets this. Everyone, that is, but those 10,000…
Convicted drug felon and disgraced T-BuGGeR-SNoRT-DaDDy Rav’nel has about as much chance of beating Lindsay Graham as Missy Mace, Con-Man-Conner.
We all saw how the Teabuggers rallied around Mace and Konner.
You are really with the program.There is a Democrat running also Bozo!
Although he is dead, I will be writing in John Wayne Gacy because, with him, at least we know where all the bodies are (were) buried…
If you want to keep Harry Reid in charge of the Senate vote for Ravenel!
Go T-Rav! heck if I will not vote for him. I want to hear more of what he has to say.
wohoo! is he done being a reality star and did he marry his baby mama yet?