By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM) – Ralph Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church who has represented Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District since 2014, has announced his intentions not to run for reelection.
“One of the greatest honors has been serving my district and state the last six years,” Abraham, who made his decision public Feb. 26, told the Baptist Message. “You have to have the heart of service to do things the right way here in D.C. and serving is what Christians are commanded to do. As servants of Christ, we give back to others.”
A native of Richland Parish, Abraham graduated from Mangham High School and Louisiana State University. From there, he served in multiple professional spheres, including: as a physician and a veterinarian, business owner, farmer, volunteer pilot with Pilots for Patients and as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army National Guard, a fixed wing and helicopter pilot with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and a mission pilot for the Air Force’s Ralph Abraham will not run for reelection Civil Air Patrol Green Flag Program.
Abraham was first elected to serve the 24-parish district in the northeastern, central and southeastern parts of the state in 2014. During his time in office, Abraham frequently championed pro-family causes.
He has been a consistent pro-life advocate, voting against funding for abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. A member of the prolife caucus, Abraham has spoken at various events around the state, such as the 2016 CENLA Pro-Life Prayer Breakfast at Louisiana College in Pineville and the 2018 Louisiana Life March CENLA in Alexandria-Pineville.
Most recently, Abraham ran, unsuccessfully, for governor and in August released a campaign ad titled, “The Truth,” in which he rejected Gov. John Bel Edwards’s efforts to establish special rights for people who claim a transgender or a gender fluid sexual identity.
Edwards’s executive order mandated state government contractors must accommodate employees who identify as something other than their actual biological sex. Transgenderism and gender fluidity are not recognized by federal law as protected classes, and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit to prevent enforcement of Edwards’s edict.
Ultimately, the state Supreme Court ruled Edwards’s mandate as unconstitutional.
Abraham said when he announced his candidacy for the seat in 2014, he was concerned about the direction the country was leaning. During his three terms, Abraham said the economy and military are stronger than they have been in decades, and consumer confidence is rising. Abraham also noted he, as member of the House Agriculture Committee, was proud to have helped draft the 2018 Farm Bill that, among other parts of the legislation, allocates billions of dollars in subsidies to American farmers.
“I’ve been concerned about the problems in the family unit and was worried we strayed from the founders’ intent for this nation,” Abraham said. “Since I got here I’ve tried to be a part of the solution that has helped steer this ship in the right direction. Seeing the gains we’ve made on several fronts has been rewarding.”
While Abraham is busy representing his constituents in Washington D.C., he still makes time to volunteer with Pilots for Patients, an organization that flies Louisiana cancer patients for treatments at hospitals. He has fl own on countless missions with the organization for nearly eight years.
Abraham also attends Alto Baptist when he is in the area. He has been a member at the church for more than 50 years.
“I could not be prouder of my church and the Baptist community,” Abraham said. “They have stood firm on issues that we must fight for as Christians.”
Abraham said the people in his district and throughout the state have made his time in office fulfilling. Moreover, he credited his congregation, and his wife, Dianne, with helping him stay spiritually grounded.
“Dianne has been my strongest supporter,” he said. “She had my back when I needed someone to prop me up and has been by my side many days here in Washington. I could not have done my job without her.”
PAYING TRIBUTE TO ABRAHAM
Alan Miller, pastor of Alto Baptist, said he and his congregation are proud of Abraham’s service.
“I want him to continue to serve as our congressman but as a man of his word, he promised to serve only three terms,” Miller said. “He is an influential statesman in Washington DC representing his district with honesty, consistency, and hard work.
“Doc knows how to get things done,” he continued. “He and Dianne live out their Christian faith in everything they do, and are difference-makers in Washington D.C., the state of Louisiana and their community and church in Alto, Louisiana. It has been a distinct privilege for me to serve as the congressman’s pastor.”
Abraham’s colleagues from Louisiana also expressed appreciation for his service in Congress. “On behalf of all Louisianans, I want to thank Rep. Ralph Abraham for his hard work and sacrifice these last six years,” said Congressman Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City.
“He has been a model public servant and a tireless advocate for our state, especially our men and women in uniform. Ralph has been an incredible colleague and friend, and it has been an honor to serve the people of Louisiana alongside him. I wish him and Dianne the best as they begin this next chapter in their lives.”
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy called Abraham a great asset to this country.
“He is a wonderful doctor who went on to serve the people of Louisiana’s 5th District well as a member of Congress,” Cassidy said. “He will be missed in our delegation.” U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said Abraham was a friend who was a good man “through and through. He’s a solid Christian whose commitment to protecting life reveals the heart of northeast Louisiana, and I’m just one of many people who are thankful for his service to our state.”
