Kevin Raye | |
|---|---|
| President of the Maine Senate | |
| In office 2010–2012 | |
| Preceded by | Libby Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Justin Alfond |
| Member of theMaine Senate from the 29th district | |
| In office 2004–2012 | |
| Preceded by | Carolyn Gilman |
| Succeeded by | David Burns |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1961-02-07)February 7, 1961 (age 64) Eastport, Maine |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Karen Raye |
| Residence | Perry, Maine |
| Alma mater | Bates College |
| Profession | Small Business Owner |
Kevin L. Raye (born February 7, 1961) is an American politician. Raye is a member of theRepublican Party and served as a member of theMaine Senate, representing the 29th district in northeasternWashington County from December 2004 to December 2012. From December 2010 to December 2012, Raye served asPresident of the Maine Senate, and as such, was next in line to the governorship of Maine.
Raye was born February 7, 1961, inEastport, Maine. He is one of eight sons of Harry Raye, anelectrician and a veteran ofWorld War II, and Frances Morrison Raye, ateacher. He graduated fromShead Memorial High School in Eastport and earned a degree inpolitical science fromBates College inLewiston.
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. SenatorOlympia Snowe. He served as her Chief of Staff for six years.[1]
Raye represented Maine Senate District 29. District 29 includes a portion of Hancock County and Washington County.[2]
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]
Michaud, then a State Senator, narrowly defeated Republican Raye in the race to replace incumbent DemocratJohn Baldacci, who ran forGovernor of Maine. In the primary, Raye defeated State RepresentativeStavros Mendros, State RepresentativeDick Campbell, and Tim Woodcock.[5] The general election garnered considerable publicity because the Democratic candidate opposedabortion, while the Republican supportedabortion rights. Michaud then became the only freshman Democratic member of Congress to vote for the 2003 ban on intact dilation and extraction (IDX), often calledpartial-birth abortion.
Raye, who was unable to run for re-election the Maine Senate due toterm-limits, considered a rematch against incumbent DemocratMike Michaud in the 2012 congressional elections as early as the middle of 2011.[6] Upon the decision ofOlympia Snowe to not seek re-election to theUnited 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.
After Rep. Michaud announced he was running forGovernor of Maine in the2014 election, Raye announced he would again seek to win Michaud's seat.[9] However, he lost the Republican primary to former MaineState TreasurerBruce Poliquin.[10]
Raye and his family resides inPerry, Maine. Karen Howard Raye, his wife, is a member of the PerryBoard of Selectmen. He is a member, trustee and Church Council Chairman of the North PerryUnited Methodist Church.