Iconic low-country politician Arthur Ravenel, Jr. has died at the age of 95. Born in Charleston in May of 1927, Ravenel served in the Marines from 1945 to 1946. After graduating from the College of Charleston in 1950, he entered the real estate business, as well as farming.
He began his political career as a Democrat in the State House from 1953 to 1958. In 1960, he switched to the Republican Party. Ravenel returned to Columbia, this time as a State Senator from 1981 to 1986. He was elected to the US House representing South Carolina's 1st Congressional District from 1987 to 1995, then served in the State Senate again from 1997 - 2003.
The Cooper River Bridge replacement between Charleston and Mt. Pleasant is named in his honor. Current District One House member Representative Nancy Mace acknowledged Ravenel's passing in a Twitter post saying the "today we have lost a great friend of the lowcountry" and asked for prayers for his family.
