Kevin Raye
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name= Kevin Raye
| image name=
| office = President of the Maine Senate
| term_start= 2010
| term_end= 2012
| predecessor= Libby Mitchell
| successor= Justin Alfond
| state_senate1= Maine
| state1=Maine
| district1= 29th
| term_start1= 2004
| term_end1= 2012
| predecessor1= Carolyn Gilman
| successor1= David Burns
| party=Republican
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|02|07}}
| birth_place= Eastport, Maine
| death_date=
| death_place=
| alma_mater= Bates College
| profession= Small Business Owner
| spouse= Karen Raye
| residence= Perry, Maine
| religion=
}}
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.
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate_gop/_senators/senator.php?senator=raye&story_title=Maine%20Senate%20GOP:%20Meet%20Sen.%20Kevin%20Raye|title=Main Esenategop – Blog de Tecnologías de Trading en España}}
Maine legislature
Raye represented Maine Senate District 29. District 29 includes a portion of Hancock County and Washington County.[http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/ "Maine Senate" Senator Listing by County]
=Elections=
Raye won re-election to the 29th District Seat in 2010, defeating Democrat F. James Whalen.[http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/prior10-11.htm#nov2010 Maine Official Election Results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118110254/http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/prior10-11.htm |date=2010-11-18 }} On November 4, 2008, Raye won re-election by defeating Karen Johnson and Dana Kadey.[http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2008/tabs-can-ss-11-08.html Maine State Senate official election results for 2008]
=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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=597836|title=Our Campaigns - ME District 2 - R Primary Race - Jun 11, 2002}} The general election garnered considerable publicity because the Democratic candidate opposed abortion, while the Republican supported abortion rights. 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=
{{Main|United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineHeadlineNews/tabid/968/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3479/ItemId/17224/Default.aspx|title=Raye Considering Challenge to Michaud in Maine's 2nd District|date=July 15, 2011|publisher=Maine Public Broadcasting Network|access-date=25 November 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,{{cite news|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/02/politics/with-michaud-and-raye-out-of-running-for-senate-races-start-to-take-shape/|title=Five Republicans join Senate race; Michaud, Raye stick to House race|date=March 2, 2012|publisher=Bangor Daily News|access-date=9 July 2012}} which Raye won on June 12, 2012, to become the nominee.{{cite news|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/12/politics/kevin-raye-wins-gop-nomination-in-2nd-district-prepares-for-rematch-against-michaud/|title=Kevin Raye wins GOP nomination in 2nd District, prepares for rematch against Mike Michaud|date=June 12, 2012|publisher=Bangor Daily News|access-date=9 July 2012}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.kjonline.com/politics/Kevin-Raye-says-hes-running-for-2nd-Congressional-District.html|title=Raye joining Republican fray for Michaud's seat|publisher=Kennebec Journal|date=2013-08-29 |access-date=2013-08-29}} However, he lost the Republican primary to former Maine State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin.{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2014/06/10/politics/elections/bruce-poliquin-leads-in-early-voting-tallies-in-2nd-congressional-district-republican-primary/ |title=GOP's Bruce Poliquin wins 2nd Congressional District primary|publisher=Bangor Daily News |date=2014-06-10 |access-date=2014-06-11}}
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
{{reflist}}
{{Presidents of the Maine Senate}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Raye, Kevin}}
Category:People from Eastport, Maine
Category:Businesspeople from Maine
Category:Presidents of the Maine Senate
Category:Republican Party Maine state senators