Kevin Raye – On Radar

Raye gets on GOP committee’s "radar"

By Jonathan Riskind
Portland Press Herald’s Maine on the Hill Blog
February 9, 2012; 7:59am
http://www.pressherald.com/blogs/maine_washington_politics/139003214.html

Republican Kevin Raye’s campaign challenging Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud in the 2nd Congressional District has been named to "On the Radar" status by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Raye is one of 21 GOP congressional candidates nationwide being put in that category, the second stage of the NRCC’s "Young Guns" program that awards national party money and support for GOP candidates who are judged in a position to succeed.

For Raye, the state Senate president from Perry, to win that money and support, his campaign, which just began last month, will have to meet key benchmarks for fundraising and other goals set by the NRCC.

“We are looking forward to working with Kevin Raye, who has already proven himself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the ‘Young Guns’ program that will position his campaign for victory,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions, a Republican U.S. House member from Texas, in a statement.

Kevin Raye Advances to ‘On the Radar’
Maine Republican Candidate Takes Big Second Step to Achieving ‘Young Gun’ Status

Washington — The National Republican Congressional Committee today announced Kevin Raye as an ‘On the Radar’ candidate, the important second step in the ‘Young Guns’ program. Founded during the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the ‘Young Guns’ program is a Member-driven effort that is the primary method for recruiting strong candidates for both open-seat and incumbent challenge elections. Raye is running for Maine’s Second Congressional District.

“We are looking forward to working with Kevin Raye, who has already proven himself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the ‘Young Guns’ program that will position his campaign for victory,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Kevin Raye’s dedication and experience positions him to advocate for pro-growth policies and fight the failed Democrat status quo in Washington. This will stand in stark contrast to the Democrats’ record of spending, borrowing and taxing that Maine families know has failed.”

Specifically, the ‘Young Guns’ program encourages candidates who have proven their ability to meet crucial campaign benchmarks to develop their campaigns further in order to achieve victory on Election Day. In achieving ‘On the Radar’ status, Raye has met the second set of these organizational and fundraising benchmarks and has already begun to establish himself as a strong contender.

As State Senate President, Kevin Raye is known for his work of bipartisanship, getting the two parties to work together to balance the budget and foster job creation in Maine. A small businessman, he and his wife Karen own and operate Raye’s Mustard Mill in Eastport. Kevin Raye understands his fellow voters’ frustration with Washington that hinders their ability as small business people to be able to get the economy back on track and wants to make the government work for the people again.

With the second set of rigorous benchmarks met in order to achieve ‘On the Radar’ status, Kevin Raye will now work toward even higher goals that will help him advance in the ‘Young Guns’ program and build an effective, winning campaign.