Skip to content

Louisiana’s Ralph Abraham Running for Governor

Edwards has accused him of ‘abandoning’ responsibilities in Congress

Louisiana GOP Rep. Ralph Abraham is running for governor. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Louisiana GOP Rep. Ralph Abraham is running for governor. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Louisiana Rep. Ralph Abraham is running for governor in 2019.

“I’m running for governor and I intend to win,” the Republican lawmaker tweeted Thursday morning. 

He’s the second Republican to announce a challenge to Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards. Sen. John Kennedy announced earlier this week he wouldn’t run for the office, opening the field to lesser-known candidates. 

“Louisiana deserves better than what she currently has,” Abraham told the USA Today Network. “I’m seeing businesses leaving and a governor who has been focused on raising taxes. I intend to do something about that.”

Edwards fired back that the congressman is “abandoning [his] responsibilities” in Congress just a month after he was re-elected.

First elected to Congress in a 2014 runoff, Abraham is a doctor who represents Louisiana’s 5th District. He replaced former Rep. Vance McAllister, who after being caught on camera kissing a former staffer, finished fourth in that 2014 jungle primary.

Recent Stories

Democrat bets on anti-corruption pitch in Pennsylvania swing district

Omar home search raises fears about election season probes

House’s most vulnerable Republicans haven’t deviated from Trump on 2026 votes

Suddenly competitive Iowa now pivotal to midterm election

Bipartisan chorus to Trump: Undo Russian diesel deal

Into the uncanny valley of ‘Musk’