Former Maine Senate President Kevin Raye formalized his candidacy Thursday for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District seat.
The former staffer for retired U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe has made two previous bids for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine. Michaud is running for governor in 2014.
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Raye, considered a moderate in his party, has taken heat from the far right in the past. In his press statement he said that it was important for the party to nominate a Republican with “broad appeal” that can win in the general election.
Republican former state Treasurer Bruce Poliquin has already announced his candidacy for the seat. Blaine Richardson of Belfast also has declared his candidacy, and former state Sen. Richard Rosen of Bucksport also said that he will announce his candidacy this fall.
Raye’s candidacy filing with the Federal Elections Commission doesn’t identify him as a Republican. However, his wife, Karen Raye, said the ommission on the form was simply a clerical error. Kevin Raye also made it clear in his press statement Thursday that he’s running for the Republican nomination.
On the Democratic side, Sen. Emily Cain of Orono, Sen. Troy Jackson of Allagash and Alden Smith of Sangerville have announced their candidacies.
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