Kevin Raper (born January 17, 1964) is an American politician and a Republican representative for District 24, which encompasses Cleveland and parts of unincorporated Bradley County in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Biography:
- Raper graduated from McMinn Central High School in 1982.
- He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee (1987), a Master of Education degree from Tusculum University (1996), and an education specialist degree from Tennessee Tech (1997).
- Prior to his political career, Raper worked as an educator.
- In 2018, he ran for the District 7 Seat A on the Bradley County Commission, winning both the primary and general elections.
- In 2021, Raper announced his intent to run for the 24th District seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, succeeding incumbent Mark Hall.
- He won the 2022 primary and faced no Democratic opponent in the general election.
- Raper supported a resolution to expel three Democratic lawmakers from the legislature in 2023 for violating decorum rules.
Personal Life:
- Raper is married and has two sons.
- He is a Baptist and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Political Views:
- Raper believes that abortion should always be illegal except when necessary to save the lives of pregnant women.
- He describes critical race theory as “divisive and racially motivated.”
