Kevin L. Raye's 2002 Campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives

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This was the official website for Kevin L. Raye's 2002 Campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. The content below is from the site's archived pages. Raye was narrowly defeated by a State Senator by the name of Michaud. The general election between Raye and Michard garnered considerable publicity because the Democratic candidate was pro-life, while the Republican was pro-choice.

There was quite the brouhaha when newly elected Michaud then became the only freshman Democratic member of Congress to vote for the 2003 ban on intact dilation and extraction (IDX). I remember the day well, not necessarily because of the vote, but because while I was reading the New York Times about Michaud defection, guys in hazmat suits arriving on environmental protection vehicles started showing up on our block. My neighbor said there was some issue regarding the medical waste from a small testing lab on the block. He works for a company where they specialize in the removal of medical waste, and he recognized some of the specialized containers they were carting out. This scary event made us wonder what Kevin Raye's position was on this regulated industry or if there even was a policy to mitigate this kind of disaster.

Now for visitors to this site, take for a nostalgic look back to 2002 when Kevin Raye's campaign was hitting its stride after defeating State Senator Stavros Mendros, State Representative Dick Campbell, and Tim Woodcock in the primary.

 

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Kevin L. Raye

Kevin L. Raye is 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.

In The News

 

Raye Wins Maine Mock Election

October 31, 2002

More than 11,500 2nd District students voted in the election. The results were as follows:

Kevin Raye 6,100 (53%)

Michael Michaud 5,442 (47%)

 

Raye Wins Endorsement of Bangor Daily News

October 28, 2002

Despite the extensive government experience of both candidates in the race for the open seat in the 2nd Congressional District, voters will be making a leap of faith Nov. 5. But the surer step is toward Republican Kevin Raye, the seasoned former chief of staff for Sen. Olympia Snowe and an articulate, thoughtful candidate in his own right..."

Raye Wins Endorsement of Advertiser Democrat

October 24, 2002

We have met and interviewed both men. While we believe Michaud is a good, honest, individual, he is far more likely to oppose President Bush’s decisions and policies than Republican Kevin Raye, who we also have met and find to be extremely qualified for the seat. Raye’s experience in Washington working for Snowe will put him miles ahead of his opponent in finding the right way to help Western Maine"

Raye Wins Endorsement of Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal

October 24, 2002

Maine's 2nd Congressional District has a fine tradition of sending men and women to Congress who put the interests of their constituents ahead of partisan politics or personal ambition. We believe that Republican Kevin Raye has the experience and commitment to public service that positions him to continue that tradition..."

Raye the better choice for Maine's 2nd District

October 20, 2002

Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram: "...on the issues, the race comes down to who would be the more effective advocate for Maine's 2nd District. We believe that person to be Kevin Raye..."

Bangor Daily News Endorsement Raye for the 2nd District

October 28, 2002

Despite the extensive government experience of both candidates in the race for the open seat in the 2nd Congressional District, voters will be making a leap of faith Nov. 5. But the surer step is toward Republican Kevin Raye, the seasoned former chief of staff for Sen. Olympia Snowe and an articulate, thoughtful candidate in his own right...

Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel Endorsement
Kevin Raye is ready to serve the 2nd Distric

October 24, 2002
Maine's 2nd Congressional District has a fine tradition of sending men and women to Congress who put the interests of their constituents ahead of partisan politics or personal ambition. We believe that Republican Kevin Raye has the experience and commitment to public service that positions him to continue that tradition...

Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram Endorsement
Raye the better choice for Maine's 2nd District

October 20, 2002
Despite impressions left by the barrage of negative television ads regarding the race for Maine's 2nd Congressional District, it's difficult to pry the two candidates apart on the issues...

Raye Leads Second District Race By 6 Points In New Poll

October 12, 2002
Republican candidate Kevin Raye, of Perry, has taken a 6-point lead in the race for the open 2nd Congressional District seat, according to a poll of 400 likely voters conducted October 9-10 by Public Opinion Strategies...

Tables turned in Second District race

October 6, 2002
Northern Maine's congressional race again has reversed national assumptions, this time in the debate over who is more trustworthy to protect Social Security...

Raye Touts Agenda to Create Good Jobs

September 27, 2002

While touring the facilities at the Maine Distributors in Bangor today, Second District Congressional candidate Kevin Raye discussed his economic development agenda and promised to advocate policies to foster economic growth and help create good jobs...

Raye Unveils Health Care Reform Plan

September 16, 2002
Second District Congressional candidate Kevin Raye today unveiled his health care reform plan during an appearance at the Waldo County General Hospital. Raye outlined five principles to guide his health care agenda. His plan includes policy prescriptions to help the uninsured afford coverage and to enhance health security for people of all ages...

Raye: Creating Good Jobs Is Priority Number One

September 4, 2002
Congressional candidate Kevin Raye today outlined proposals to grow the Second District economy and bring good paying jobs into the region. Raye discussed his job priorities this morning at a Second District candidate forum sponsored by the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and Husson College...

Raye Reiterates Priorities to Protect Social Security

August 30, 2002
In an appearance on the Voice of Maine's "Maine in the Morning" radio program today, Second District Congressional candidate Kevin Raye reiterated his opposition to creating personal accounts in the Social Security system. Later in the day, Raye appeared with Kathryn Hunt for the public signing of the Maine Code of Election Ethics sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy...

District 2 House Seat Draws Eyes ofNation 

August 27, 2002
With political oddsmakers calling the campaign for Maine's 2nd Congressional District a toss-up, and with the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives at stake, the Republican National Committee on Monday ramped up its support of Kevin Raye, the party's candidate for the seat now held by Democratic U.S. Rep. John Baldacci...

Campaign in Maine's Woods Shapes up as a Bellwether

August 11, 2002
LEWISTON, Maine - In November, as both parties struggle for control of a narrowly divided Congress, every seat will count. And some races, like the one in the 2d Congressional District in Maine, matter more than others...

GOP Candidates Follow Dems in Bashing Social Security Plan

July 20, 2002
BREWER - It's a political issue that has not been discussed much this year, but two Democratic candidates for Congress on Friday wanted to tell voters that they are opposed to all forms of privatization of Social Security...

Upside Down East; Abortion Stances Could Muddle Maine House Race

July 15, 2002
With the dust settled from a primary that attracted the attention of a host of outside groups, voters in Maine's 2nd district are faced with a highly unusual choice: an anti-abortion Democrat or a pro-abortion rights Republican...

Maine Ccandidates Take Aim at Corporate Crime

July 9, 2002
BANGOR - With President Bush poised to speak about business ethics today on Wall Street, Maine Democratic congressional candidates Monday urged the administration to crack down on corporate criminals in the wake of a string of high-profile accounting scandals...

 

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More Background On RayeForCongress.com

 

RayeForCongress.com served as the official online headquarters for the 2002 congressional campaign of Kevin Raye, the Republican nominee for Maine’s Second Congressional District. Though the campaign ended more than two decades ago, the website survives through digital preservation and remains a valuable artifact of early-era internet politics. It captures how candidates communicated biography, credibility, endorsements, and policy priorities at a moment when campaign websites were becoming essential but had not yet evolved into the multimedia ecosystems familiar today.

The platform provides historians, journalists, political scientists, and curious citizens with an unusually complete portrait of how a serious congressional campaign presented itself online in the early 2000s. It documents strategy, tone, alliances, and the rhythms of the election cycle, offering insight into both regional political culture and the development of web-based campaigning.

The Candidate Behind the Website

Kevin Raye was already well known in Maine political circles long before his name appeared in a congressional race. A native of Washington County, he developed a reputation for organization, discipline, and loyalty through decades of involvement in Republican politics.

Most notably, Raye worked for Olympia Snowe for more than seventeen years, eventually rising to become her chief of staff. That role placed him at the center of federal legislative operations, constituent relations, and the daily management of a Senate office. By the time he entered the 2002 House race, he could credibly argue that he understood Washington while still maintaining deep roots in eastern Maine.

Raye’s biography on the site emphasized generational ties, local church membership, and family background. This combination — federal experience paired with small-town identity — was crucial messaging in a district wary of distant political elites.

Maine’s Second District: Why the Race Mattered

Maine’s 2nd Congressional District has long held symbolic importance in national politics. Vast, rural, economically varied, and culturally independent, it often acts as a bellwether for working-class and moderate voters.

In 2002 the open seat drew unusual interest. Control of Congress nationally was closely contested, and both parties believed the district could tilt the balance. As a result, campaign infrastructure, fundraising, advertising, and media attention intensified.

Raye’s Democratic opponent, Michael Michaud, brought his own cross-pressures to the race. Michaud’s personal background and positions — particularly on abortion — scrambled typical partisan expectations. Observers described the contest as one of the most intriguing ideological matchups in the country.

Within that environment, RayeForCongress.com became more than a brochure; it was a strategic communication hub.

Purpose of the Website

The mission of RayeForCongress.com can be understood across several layers.

First, it aimed to introduce or reinforce the candidate’s identity. Voters could read about Raye’s upbringing, career trajectory, and connection to Maine communities.

Second, it mobilized supporters. Visitors were directed toward volunteering, donating, spreading the word, and attending events.

Third, it amplified credibility. By showcasing endorsements, press quotes, and polling, the campaign sought to create an impression of momentum and inevitability.

Finally, it preserved narrative control. Rather than relying solely on newspapers or television framing, the campaign could publish speeches, letters, and policy explanations in its own voice.

Structure and Navigation

Like many political sites of its era, RayeForCongress.com relied on straightforward menus and text-forward design. Bandwidth expectations were modest; clarity and accessibility mattered more than visual flourish.

Common sections included:

• Biography

• News

• Endorsements

• Issues

• Get Involved

• Contribute

Each area reinforced the same themes: readiness to serve, experience, and commitment to economic vitality.

Tone and Messaging Strategy

The rhetoric throughout the site blended optimism with urgency. Raye presented himself as prepared on day one, capable of protecting Maine’s interests immediately because he already understood congressional mechanics.

At the same time, the campaign emphasized that victory required grassroots effort. Frequent appeals thanked volunteers and urged continued engagement, reinforcing a sense of shared mission.

This approach mirrored broader Republican messaging of the period: pragmatic, managerial, and centered on trust.

Policy Emphasis

While not encyclopedic, the issues material covered several pillars.

Jobs and Economic Development

Raye argued that job creation was priority number one. He visited businesses, toured facilities, and spoke about expanding opportunity so young people could remain in the region rather than leave for urban centers.

Health Care

The campaign outlined principles aimed at affordability, access, and security for families and seniors. Appearances at hospitals underscored seriousness about the topic.

Social Security

Raye publicly resisted privatization proposals, a stance that aligned with many older voters and differentiated him from national stereotypes.

These positions illustrated an attempt to blend conservative governance with local moderation.

Endorsements as Political Currency

One of the most prominent features of the site was its parade of newspaper endorsements. Editorial boards from across Maine weighed in, frequently praising Raye’s preparedness and institutional knowledge.

For voters unfamiliar with the candidates personally, such endorsements acted as shortcuts to trust. They also helped the campaign project legitimacy and competitiveness.

The repetition of favorable quotations throughout the site suggests the team understood their persuasive value.

Interaction with National Politics

Although rooted locally, the race unfolded against national backdrops: debates over abortion, corporate accountability, terrorism, and economic anxiety following the early-2000s recession.

Because Michaud’s positions sometimes diverged from Democratic orthodoxy, national media highlighted the contest as unusual. That spotlight indirectly elevated RayeForCongress.com, since journalists and researchers often consulted campaign sites for official statements.

Audience

The intended readership extended beyond committed Republicans.

Undecided voters, independents, donors, activists, and reporters all represented key segments. The language therefore remained measured rather than incendiary, aiming for credibility across ideological lines.

Technology of the Moment

From a digital-history perspective, the site represents a transitional era. Campaigns had moved online but had not yet integrated social media, video streaming, or data analytics dashboards.

Email lists and static pages dominated. Nevertheless, compared with pre-internet cycles, the ability to centralize information instantly was revolutionary.

Election Outcome and Aftermath

Despite strong organization and endorsements, Raye narrowly lost the general election. Yet the campaign remained significant. The vote totals were among the strongest for a Republican in the district in years, reinforcing Raye’s stature within the party.

He would later return to public office, including service in the Maine Senate and leadership roles there — evidence that the congressional bid, win or lose, strengthened his profile.

Why the Website Still Matters

Today, RayeForCongress.com functions less as advocacy and more as archive. Scholars can trace issue framing, media influence, and early digital strategy. Citizens can revisit how arguments were presented before social platforms reshaped communication.

The preservation of such material allows contemporary observers to compare rhetoric across decades and understand how regional politics interacted with national narratives.

Cultural and Social Significance

The site captures Maine political culture at a moment of transformation. Traditional retail politics — town halls, newspaper readership, personal relationships — coexisted with expanding digital outreach.

Raye’s campaign stood at that crossroads. His experience in Washington symbolized institutional knowledge, while the website symbolized modernization.

Legacy

Though campaigns are temporary by nature, their digital footprints endure. RayeForCongress.com remains part of the documentary trail that future historians will use to reconstruct early twenty-first-century American democracy.

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