Report: Reality TV star planning run against Lindsey Graham

Reality television star and former South Carolina state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel (R) is gearing up for a run as an independent against Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), he tells The State.

{mosads}Ravenel, who left office after being busted for cocaine possession in 2007, has become better known in recent years as a star on Bravo’s reality show “Southern Charm.”

Graham recently won his primary in a dominating fashion and is unlikely to face much of a challenge this fall, though some Graham allies are concerned that the libertarian-leaning Ravenel could siphon some of the vote from him and force Graham to work a bit harder for reelection.

The wealthy Ravenel, the son of a former congressman, has the ability to self-fund his campaign. He says he’s gathering the 10,000 signatures necessary to make the ballot.