Charles D. Ravenel
Charles D. Ravenel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles Dufort Ravenel 14 February 1938 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | 25 March 2017 (aged 79) |
| Other names | Pug Ravenel |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, businessman |
| Years active | 1960s–1990s |
| Known for | Democratic politician; 1974 South Carolina gubernatorial Democratic primary winner (disqualified) |
Charles Dufort "Pug" Ravenel (February 14, 1938 – March 25, 2017) was a Democratic politician from South Carolina who secured victory in the 1974 Democratic primary for governor. He was widely expected to win the general election until the South Carolina Supreme Court disqualified his candidacy due to not satisfying the state's residency criteria. The governorship was eventually claimed by James B. Edwards, marking the first Republican to hold the office in South Carolina in many years.
Early life
Ravenel was born in Charleston, South Carolina and attended Cathedral Elementary School followed by Bishop England High School. He earned the nickname "Pug" after an incident at Moultrie Playground. Early on, he worked as a newspaper delivery boy for The News and Courier, which enabled him to attend Phillips Exeter Academy.
During his time at Phillips Exeter and later at Harvard University, Ravenel played as a quarterback on the football team. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard in 1961 and obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1964. His professional career included a stint on Wall Street with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, as well as serving as a White House Fellow under President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1967, together with Michael Bloomberg, he co-established the New York Academy for Black and Latin Education (ABLE).
Political career
After his Wall Street tenure, Ravenel returned to South Carolina in 1972.
1974 gubernatorial election
Ravenel campaigned in 1974 with his “Program for Excellence in South Carolina,” promoting optimism and reform through a constructive message. He emerged victorious from a competitive Democratic primary and was regarded as a leading contender for the general election. Nevertheless, the South Carolina Supreme Court invalidated his candidacy on the grounds that he did not fulfill the constitutional five-year residency requirement. Evidence presented included his acceptance of resident memberships at two Connecticut clubs during that period. As a result, primary runner-up Congressman William Jennings Bryan Dorn replaced him as the Democratic nominee.
1978 U.S. Senate election
Ravenel won the Democratic nomination for South Carolina's 1978 U.S. Senate race but was defeated by incumbent Senator Strom Thurmond.
1980 U.S. House election
In 1980, Ravenel was the Democratic candidate for South Carolina's 1st congressional district but lost to Republican challenger Thomas F. Hartnett. Later on, his cousin, Arthur Ravenel Jr., served as a Republican representative for the same district.
Later life
After stepping back from politics, Ravenel dedicated himself to urban beautification projects through Charleston Trees, focusing particularly on enhancements along East Bay Street in Charleston.
In 1995, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges connected to the collapse of Citadel Federal Savings Bank and served nearly a year—11 months and 17 days—in prison. On January 20, 2001, President Bill Clinton granted him a pardon during Clinton’s final day in office.
External links
- Charles D. Ravenel Papers housed at South Carolina Political Collections, University of South Carolina
- 1938 births
- 2017 deaths
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- 20th-century South Carolina politicians
- American white-collar criminals
- American bankers
- Businesspeople from Charleston, South Carolina
- Harvard Business School alumni
- Harvard University alumni
- Phillips Exeter Academy alumni
- People pardoned by Bill Clinton
- South Carolina Democrats
- Harvard Crimson football players