AUGUSTA — In a move that many in Augusta anticipated, Maine Senate President Kevin Raye, R-Perry, announced today he is exploring a run for Congress.

Raye, who is termed out of the Senate next year, would take on U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, in the 2nd Congressional District.

The two squared off in 2002, with Michaud narrowly defeating Raye by about 9,000 votes.

Raye announced Tuesday he had created an exploratory committee, a prerequisite to an official run that will allow the Senate president to begin soliciting donations.

“Maine and the nation face serious challenges and I believe we need people in Congress who will help make Washington work better,” Raye said in the release. “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.”

Democrats and Republicans privately wondered if the Senate president’s political ambition was fueling his full-court press during the session to gain legislative authorization for the Biddeford racino and a partner facility in Washington County. Although that effort failed, some opined that Raye’s memorable exertion there, along with his successful push to alter the state’s school funding formula to benefit rural districts, would play favorably in the 2nd District.

Another clue was the consistent presence of Kathie Summers-Grice, the political consultant who served during Raye’s 2002 congressional run. Summers-Grice was often spotted with Raye this legislative session, particularly during the final months.

State Sen. Debra Plowman, R-Hampden, the assistant majority leader, and former Republican House Minority Leader Josh Tardy will co-chair Raye’s exploratory committee.

Said Tardy, “Kevin Raye is the strongest potential Republican candidate for the 2nd District. Having worked closely with Kevin, I have seen firsthand his thoughtful approach and his ability to bring people together across party lines to get things done in Augusta.”

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 more than 71 percent of the vote. As Senate Republican leader, he 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 was a top aide to U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, for 17 years. The Eastport native and his wife, Karen, live in Perry. They own and operate Raye’s Mustard Mill in Eastport, a fourth-generation family business.

Maine Democratic Party Chairman Ben Grant said Raye’s votes in the Legislature showed that his priorities “are not in line” with voters in the 2nd District.

“What we don’t need right now is another GOP member of Congress voting in lock step with John Boehner and his extremist colleagues,” Grant said in a prepared statement. … He championed a health insurance bill that’s causing skyrocketing insurance rates for small businesses in rural Maine, voted against raising the minimum wage and supported cuts to infrastructure funding.”

First District Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, does not yet have a Republican challenger. However, Augusta insiders speculate that state Senate Majority Leader Jonathan Courtney, R-Springvale, is weighing a run.

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