Kevin D. Raper

Current office and 2026 campaign

Kevin Raper is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 24, which encompasses Cleveland and parts of unincorporated Bradley County ²⁸. He assumed office on November 8, 2022, following his election to succeed Mark Hall ¹². His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹¹².

Raper is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 24 in the 2026 cycle ¹¹². He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹¹². As an incumbent, he continues to represent the district during this upcoming election period ³.

During his tenure, Raper has focused on legislative priorities and community engagement. In September 2025, he announced that state funding of $43,830 would be allocated to Bradley County arts groups, including grants for the Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points and Lee University ⁵. Earlier in 2025, Raper returned to the General Assembly on March 27 after undergoing a successful liver transplant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in February ⁶¹⁰. He has described his recovery as rapid and well ahead of schedule ⁶¹⁰.

Raper self-describes as a lifelong educator and servant to his community, emphasizing that his relationship with Christ is central to his life and political service ⁷. His professional background includes an educational specialist degree from Tennessee Tech University (1998), a master's degree from Tusculum University (1996), and a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (1987) ¹³. He is a member of the Bradley County Republican Party and the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce ³.

Background and education

Kevin Raper was born on January 17, 1964 ²⁸. He graduated from McMinn Central High School in 1982 ¹. Raper earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1987 ¹³. He later obtained a Master of Education from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee, in 1996, and an Educational Specialist degree from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, in 1998 ³.

Raper self-describes as a lifelong educator and states that his relationship with Christ is the most important aspect of his life ⁷. He is a member of the First Baptist Church and the Bradley County Republican Party ³.

Career

Kevin Raper is a lifelong educator who graduated from McMinn Central High School in 1982 ¹. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1987 ¹³. He later obtained a Master of Education from Tusculum University in 1996 and an Educational Specialist degree from Tennessee Tech University in 1998 ³. Raper self-describes as a servant to his community and emphasizes that his relationship with Christ is the most important aspect of his life ⁷.

Regarding military service, business ownership, and professional licenses, candidate profiles have not provided specific details on these topics ³⁴.

Office history

Kevin Raper served on the Bradley County Commission from the 7th district from September 2018 to September 2022, succeeding Mark Hall and being succeeded by Josh Rogers ². He was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 24 in the general election held on November 8, 2022, assuming office on January 10, 2023, after succeeding Mark Hall ². His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹.

Raper ran for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 24 as an incumbent in the Republican primary held on August 6, 2026 ¹. The outcome of this election is unknown as it has not yet occurred relative to the current date ¹.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Kevin Raper serves in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 24, a district encompassing Cleveland and parts of unincorporated Bradley County ⁸. He assumed office on November 8, 2022, following his election to represent the area previously held by Mark Hall ¹, ². As an incumbent Republican, Raper is seeking re-election in the August 6, 2026, primary for a term ending on November 3, 2026 ¹, ¹².

During his tenure, Raper has focused on supporting local cultural and educational initiatives within his district. In September 2025, he announced that Bradley County arts organizations would receive $43,830 in state funding from the 2025-26 budget ⁵. This allocation included three grants totaling $34,820 for the Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points and two grants totaling $9,010 for Lee University ⁵. Raper described this support as an investment in the people and culture of Bradley County, emphasizing that funding the arts strengthens communities and preserves local heritage ⁵.

Raper’s legislative record includes a lifetime score of 80 from the Tennessee Legislative Research Center (TLRC), with a session vote score of 69 ⁹. He is affiliated with the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and the Bradley County Republican Party ³. In March 2025, Raper returned to the General Assembly following a successful liver transplant performed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in February of that year ⁶, ¹⁰. Doctors reported that his recovery was ahead of schedule, with his new liver operating at full function ⁶.

Raper self-describes as a lifelong educator and servant to his community, stating that his relationship with Christ is the most important aspect of his life ⁷. He identifies himself as conservative in political orientation ³. His official contact information includes a Capitol office in Nashville and a district office at 3440 Edgewood Cir NW in Cleveland, TN ⁴, ¹¹.

Family

Kevin Raper has two children ². He is a member of the First Baptist Church and self-describes his relationship with Christ as the most important aspect of his life ³⁷.

Sources