Kevin Raper

Kevin Raper (born January 17, 1964) is an American politician. A Republican, he represents District 24 (encompassing Cleveland and parts of unincorporated Bradley County) in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Biography Kevin Raper is a 1982 graduate of McMinn Central High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee in 1987, a Master of Education degree from Tusculum University in 1996, and an education specialist degree from Tennessee Tech in 1997. He is a retired educator. He went on to win the general election on August 7, defeating Democrat Tammy Davis with 1,699 votes, or 72.2%. In 2019, Raper voted for a controversial property tax increase, as well as to override Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis's veto of the increase. He was also one of the strongest backers of a county-funded study on the feasibility of expanding sewers into unincorporated parts of Bradley County, which critics charged was unnecessary and being undertaken to financially benefit the local homebuilding industry.

Raper announced his intent to run for the 24th District seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives on November 10, 2021, after incumbent Mark Hall announced his intent to run for the Tennessee Senate. He won the August 4, 2022, primary with 2,107 votes, or 38.7% of the vote against three primary opponents. He faced no Democratic opponent in the general election on November 8. In 2023, Raper supported a resolution to expel three Democratic lawmakers from the legislature 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 has stated that he believes that abortion should always be illegal except for when necessary to save the lives of pregnant women. He also described critical race theory as "divisive and racially motivated". In 2025, Raper acknowledged that he faced extensive pressure from special interest groups to vote in favor of Governor Bill Lee's universal school voucher program, but ultimately voted against it, stating that most of his constituents expressed opposition to it.