Ray McKinney could be anyone of our neighbors. He has lived in the Coastal Empire since he was in the 4th grade. He grew up in Effingham County and attended Effingham County public schools. Ray went to University of Georgia and Savannah Tech and has worked and lived in our community for 34 years. Trained as a blue-collar tool and dye maker, Ray rose to the rank of Vice President at Continental Field Services in Savannah. He stepped down from that position last fall to run for 12th District Congress.

Currently he and his wife Lisa reside in the Savannah area. Ray is a member of Savannah Christian Church where he regularly participates in The Journey as a Roman Soldier, a member of the Savannah Men of Integrity, and is a part of the Band of Brothers Bible Study.

Ray has been in the business of solving problems at the multi-million dollar level since 1992. He has worked with the Defense Department, Department of Energy, large national companies, and local ones to solve their problems in an expeditious manner. Ray has been a small business owner and knows the needs and values of the people of Georgia. When speaking with voters Ray has the ability to relate and they feel it. Ray is approachable and seen as one of them, not an outsider.

Like many, he didn’t care about politics much at all until one day he got fed up. Ray says it was hearing Hillary Clinton talk about how the Republican Party had given up on the middle class that finally made him ready to get involved. A self described working man, and a regular loyal Republican voter, Ray found this personally offensive.

A strong willed man, Ray decided to run for office to send a message that the common man is a part of the Republican Party and can make a difference. Ray decided to run for President to send a message. Ray’s message was heard and he is now a candidate for the Republican nomination in Georgia’s 12th District.

Ray is running on a platform of reducing gas prices by developing a real long term national energy plan, reforming Washington and reducing government spending, and creating jobs through getting our economy moving again by keeping taxes low.