Kevin L Raye

Kevin L. Raye was a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maine's Second Congressional District. He formerly served for more than seventeen years on the staff of U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), the last six and a half years as her Chief of Staff. Raye first became acquainted with Snowe in 1977 when he was a high school student. The following year, at the age of 17 - still not old enough to vote - he became a county chairman for Snowe's successful Congressional bid and was elected as an officer of his local Republican town committee. As a college student in 1980, he worked as field coordinator on Snowe's first re-election campaign. From 1987 to 1994, Kevin served as District Director for Congresswoman Snowe, overseeing her staff and three offices throughout Maine's 2nd Congressional District. In this role, he served as Snowe's liaison and worked closely with community and civic leaders throughout the district. He served as campaign manager of several of Snowe's House re-election bids. He also served as a member of the Maine Republican State Committee from 1987 to 1994; was a member of the Maine Republican State Platform Committee in 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994; and served as chairman of the Brewer Republican City Committee for a number of years. He has been a delegate to every Maine Republican State Convention since 1980. In 1994, he was Finance Chairman for Snowe's successful campaign for the U.S. Senate, raising $2.7 million - a record that still stands for Maine Senate races. Upon Snowe's election to the Senate, she tapped Kevin to serve as her Chief of Staff. He assembled a talented and hard-working team, and for more than six years, led Senator Snowe's staff on Capitol Hill and in her six Maine offices. A fifth-generation native of Washington County, Kevin Raye was born in Eastport, Maine, on February 7, 1961, the seventh of eight sons of Harry J. and Frances M. Raye. His father is a retired electrician and his mother is a retired elementary school teacher. Kevin earned a degree in political science from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, in 1983. He is a member of North Perry United Methodist Church in Perry, Maine, and Grace United Methodist Church in Bangor, Maine. Kevin is married to the former Karen Howard, a native of Bangor. The Rayes reside in Perry, Maine.