PERRY — Maine Senate President Kevin L. Raye (R-Washington County) has announced the formation of an exploratory committee to weigh a possible run for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District seat.

“Maine and the nation face serious challenges and I believe we need people in Congress who will help make Washington work better,” Raye said. “Over the next few weeks, I will be reaching out to Mainers, traveling the 2nd District, visiting with people and seeking their input and advice as I weigh the possibility of becoming a candidate for Congress in 2012.”

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Debra Plowman (R-Penobscot County) and former House Minority Leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport) will co-chair Raye’s exploratory committee.

Raye is serving his fourth term in the Maine Senate, representing Washington County and parts of Hancock and Penobscot counties. In 2010, he won re-election with over 71 percent of the vote and, as Senate Republican leader, led the GOP to its first Senate majority since 1994.

In December, he was unanimously elected by his colleagues as president of the Senate.

Raye previously served for 17 years as a top aide to U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), including six and a half years as her chief of staff.

A native of Eastport, Raye and his wife, Karen, live in the Washington County community of Perry. They own and operate Raye’s Mustard Mill in Eastport, a fourth-generation small family business.

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