GOP Rep. Ralph Abraham Announces Retirement, The 26th Republican To Do So

Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA) leaves the House Republican Conference meeting in the basement of the Capitol on October 24, 2017. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
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Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA) announced on Wednesday that he will not run for reelection.

In his statement, Abraham described how he had met with President Donald Trump on Air Force One in January, during which Trump asked the GOP lawmaker to consider running for another term.

“I thanked him for his leadership and encouragement, and was honest in my reply,” the Louisiana Republican said. “The decision to serve only three terms as a Member of the House is one that I made six years ago, but I very much look forward to supporting the President’s agenda for the remainder of my tenure in Congress and in other capacities moving forward.

Abraham is the 26th House Republican to retire ahead of the 2020 elections, while only five Democrats have decided to do so.

2018 saw a similar GOP exit before the Democrats flipped the House after the midterms.

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Notable Replies

  1. Abraham is the 26th House Republican to retire ahead of the 2020 elections, while only five Democrats have decided to do so.

    Not sure the Republicans are supremely confident of taking back the House this year.

     

    2018 saw a similar GOP exit before the Democrats flipped the House after the midterms.

    Oh.

  2. Can you see me waving "Bye-bye’ frantically to you, Mr. Abraham? Oh, you’re still here.:cry:

  3. Never heard of this particular backbencher. But I am getting really tired at the Trump cultists obligatory bowing to the “great leader” before every statement. It got to be farcical at last evening’s performance, especially Pence who practically salivates at his master’s alter.

    “I’d like to start by exhorting the magnificence and genius of the bestest President ever, whose brilliant mind and forthright spirit allows me to pass gas here before you all tonight. Praise Jesus!”

  4. Another Republican animated corpse announces his retirement and sucks up to Trump in the process, how quaint and unique.

  5. In 2018 Abraham won in a 4 way race that included candidates from the Independent, Libertarian and Democrat parties. He garnered 67% of the vote. I doubt Republicans fear this retirement will cost them his seat.

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