VALDOSTA, GA – Richard Raines, a South Georgia native, spent his formative years in the Brooks, Lowndes and Echols County School Systems. After graduating from Echols County High School, Raines attended Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee and received his undergraduate degree in Theology. His professional career consists of nearly fifteen years in healthcare, including insurance and industry related sales and marketing. Raines currently serves as the President and CEO of Innovative Healthcare Solutions of Georgia.
In 2010 Raines launched a successful campaign to replace retiring Lowndes County Board of Commissioner Richard Lee. During his campaign, Candidate Raines made a commitment to serve only one term. In 2014 Commissioner Raines announced his intention to honor his campaign promise and return to private life. Shortly thereafter, Raines was approached by local Republicans seeking a Conservative candidate to run for the Georgia State Senate, District 8. After several days of prayer and seeking the wise counsel of trusted advisers, Raines and his wife Jessica agreed that the long term benefit of having a Conservative in the Georgia Senate far outweighed the temporary struggles typically associated with political campaigns.
On February 28, 2014 Commissioner Raines announced to his supporters his intention to represent Conservative Republicans as a candidate for the Georgia State Senate, District 8. Raines’ campaign platform is predicated on the imminent need for Georgia to seek comprehensive education reform in order to improve and increase learning opportunities for students, encourage parental/guardian involvement, improve graduation rates, and reward first generation high school graduates with the HOPE Scholarship, and tax credits for home schooled students who meet or exceed Georgia State educational standards.
Additionally, Raines plans to spearhead efforts to enhance economic development in South Georgia. Raines plans to introduce legislation and work closely with the Governor’s office to create grants and tax credits specifically for companies that relocate or invest in South Georgia communities, as well as offer financial assistance for these communities to develop the necessary infrastructure to support and attract new industries. As a job creator himself (responsible for creating ten new full-time jobs in 2013), Raines understands what it takes to overcome the negative economic realities experienced by many South Georgia communities.
In keeping with his tradition of making and honoring campaign promises, Raines pledges that, for as long as he serves in the Georgia State Senate, he will not accept gifts, meals, tickets, trips, or incentives from lobbyists. Like any good legislator, his door will always be open to those representing Georgia’s industries and citizens, but he will not accept any payments, either monetary or in-kind, from any lobbyist.
Source: Press Relesae
