Former State Sen. Arthur Ravenel, Jr. dies at 95, family says

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Charleston-born state senator, who is also the namesake of the bridge that connects Charleston and Mount Pleasant, has died, according to his family.

Arthur Ravenel, Jr. was 95 years old.

Ravenel served as a state senator from 1981 to 1986 and then again from 1997 to 2003, according to the State House’s website. He served Senate District 34, which includes Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties. Before that, Ravenel also served in the House from 1953 to 1958.

He also had a stint serving in the U.S. Congress from 1987 to 1995.

Ravenel’s son Thomas tweeted about his dad’s passing Monday afternoon.

Mayor John Tecklenburg released the following statement upon hearing of the passing of former congressman and state senator Arthur Ravenel, Jr.:

“Cousin Arthur loved Charleston in his bones, and Charleston loved him back. Over the course of 95 remarkable years, he was a Marine, a business leader, a family man, and a distinguished public servant at every level of government. Put simply, his was a life in full -- a life of joy and meaning and consequence -- and he will be much missed.”

First Congressional District Rep. Nancy Mace also shared her condolences on her Twitter page Monday evening, saying:

“Today we lost a great friend of the Lowcountry and former Representative of SC-01 - Arthur Ravenel Jr. Our prayers are with the Ravenel family this evening.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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