Kevin Raye

Kevin L. Raye (born February 7, 1961) is an American politician. Raye is a member of the Republican Party and served as a member of the Maine Senate, representing the 29th district in northeastern Washington County from December 2004 to December 2012. From December 2010 to December 2012, Raye served as President of the Maine Senate, and as such, was next in line to the governorship of Maine.

Kevin Raye
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 29th district
In office
2004–2012
Succeeded byDavid Burns
Personal details
Born (1961-02-07) February 7, 1961
Eastport, Maine
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Karen Raye
ResidencePerry, Maine
Alma materBates College
ProfessionSmall Business Owner

Early life, education, and early career

Raye was born February 7, 1961 in Eastport, Maine. He is one of eight sons of Harry Raye, an electrician and a veteran of World War II, and Frances Morrison Raye, a teacher. He graduated from Shead Memorial High School in Eastport and earned a degree in political science from Bates College in Lewiston.

Along with his wife Karen, he owns and operates Raye's Mustard Mill, which has been run by members of the Raye family since 1900. He spent seventeen years working for former U.S. Representative and former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe. He served as her Chief of Staff for six years.[1]

Maine legislature

Raye represented Maine Senate District 29. District 29 includes a portion of Hancock County and Washington County.[2]

Elections

Raye won re-election to the 29th District Seat in 2010, defeating Democrat F. James Whalen.[3] On November 4, 2008, Raye won re-election by defeating Karen Johnson and Dana Kadey.[4]

Committee assignments
  • Select Committee on Joint Rules
  • Senatorial Vote Committee
  • Senate Rules Committee
  • Legislative Council

Congressional campaigns

2002

Michaud, then a State Senator, narrowly defeated Republican Raye in the race to replace incumbent Democrat John Baldacci, who ran for Governor of Maine. In the primary, Raye defeated State Representative Stavros Mendros, State Representative Dick Campbell, and Tim Woodcock.[5] The general election garnered considerable publicity because the Democratic candidate was pro-life, while the Republican was pro-choice. Michaud then became the only freshman Democratic member of Congress to vote for the 2003 ban on intact dilation and extraction (IDX), often called partial-birth abortion.

2012

Raye, who was unable to run for re-election the Maine Senate due to term-limits, considered a rematch against incumbent Democrat Mike Michaud in the 2012 congressional elections as early as the middle of 2011.[6] Upon the decision of Olympia Snowe to not seek re-election to the United States Senate, Raye briefly considered running for her seat, but ultimately decided to enter the House primary,[7] which Raye won on June 12, 2012 to become the nominee.[8]

Raye received 41.8% of the vote and lost to incumbent Michaud.

2014

After Rep. Michaud announced he was running for Governor of Maine in the 2014 election, Raye announced he would again seek to win Michaud's seat.[9] However, he lost the Republican primary to former Maine State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin.[10]

Personal life

Raye and his family resides in Perry, Maine. Karen Howard Raye, his wife, is a member of the Perry Board of Selectmen. He is a member, trustee and Church Council Chairman of the North Perry United Methodist Church.

References
  1. http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate_gop/_senators/senator.php?senator=raye&story_title=Maine%20Senate%20GOP:%20Meet%20Sen.%20Kevin%20Raye
  2. "Maine Senate" Senator Listing by County
  3. Maine Official Election Results Archived 2010-11-18 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Maine State Senate official election results for 2008
  5. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=597836
  6. "Raye Considering Challenge to Michaud in Maine's 2nd District". Maine Public Broadcasting Network. July 15, 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  7. "Five Republicans join Senate race; Michaud, Raye stick to House race". Bangor Daily News. March 2, 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  8. "Kevin Raye wins GOP nomination in 2nd District, prepares for rematch against Mike Michaud". Bangor Daily News. June 12, 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  9. "Raye joining Republican fray for Michaud's seat". Kennebec Journal. 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  10. "GOP's Bruce Poliquin wins 2nd Congressional District primary". Bangor Daily News. 2014-06-10. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
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