Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-La.) announced Wednesday he will not run for a fourth term in Congress, opening a safe Republican seat in the northeast corner of Louisiana.
Abraham, 65, said in a statement that he would keep a self-imposed three-term limit and return to Louisiana after his tenure ends in January. He said President Trump had asked him to stay in Congress during a January trip on Air Force One to the college football national championship game, but he said he would stick by his decision to retire from the House.
“Our national economy is strong, and unemployment is the lowest it’s been in decades. Our military is stronger now than it’s been in decades, and consumer confidence is on the rise. As I look back over these three terms in Congress, despite significant partisan opposition, I’ve been proud to work with you in helping to ‘turn-the-ship-around,’” Abraham wrote.
The Louisiana Republican joins more than two dozen House Republicans who have announced they won’t seek reelection this year.
Abraham was one of two prominent Republicans to run against Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) last year. He finished third behind businessman Eddie Rispone (R) in the all-party primary, missing a shot at the runoff.
He came to Congress in 2015 after beating out former Rep. Vance McAllister (R-La.), who had been beset by a personal scandal.
No major candidates said they will run in the immediate aftermath of Abraham’s announcement, but his seat is not likely to be competitive in November.
Trump won the district with 63 percent of the vote in 2016, making it a likely safe Republican seat.