Spouse(s) Karen Raye Role American Politician Alma mater Bates College Education Bates College | Profession Small Business Owner Name Kevin Raye Succeeded by David Burns | |
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Residence Perry, Maine, United States | ||
Political party Maine Republican Party | ||
Meet the Candidates: 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.
Contents
- Meet the Candidates Kevin Raye
- Early life education and early career
- Maine legislature
- Elections
- Committee assignments
- 2002
- 2012
- 2014
- Personal life
- References
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.
Maine legislature
Raye represented Maine Senate District 29. District 29 includes a portion of Hancock County and Washington County.
Elections
Raye won re-election to the 29th District Seat in 2010, defeating Democrat F. James Whalen. On November 4, 2008, Raye won re-election by defeating Karen Johnson and Dana Kadey.
Committee assignments
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 Senator Stavros Mendros, State Representative Dick Campbell, and Tim Woodcock. 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. 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, which Raye won on June 12, 2012 to become the nominee.
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. However, he lost the Republican primary to former Maine State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin.
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.