SHJ: Ravenel’s drug case eases race for Graham
By JASON SPENCER
June 23, 2007
The indictment and suspension of state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel on a federal cocaine charge this week comes as a major blow to a conservative faction of the Republican Party that hoped Ravenel would run against Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2008.
Even though he denied interest in challenging Graham, Ravenel consistently has been called the only person who potentially could pose a serious threat to the incumbent senator in what could be a tumultuous primary.
But federal prosecutors have accused Ravenel, 44, of buying cocaine and giving it to others, and he has been issued a summons to appear in federal court in Columbia on July 9. With the millionaire developer temporarily, perhaps permanently, off the political scene, Graham might have an easier time holding on to his seat.