Abraham ran for governor of Louisiana in 2019, but failed to advance to the runoff. On February 26, 2020, he announced that he would not run for reelection to Congress in 2020.[6]
Early life, education, and career
Abraham is the son of Marlene Posey, a retired educator, and Ralph Abraham Sr.[7] His paternal grandparents were emigrants from Lebanon.[8]
Abraham defeated his Democratic opponent, Mayor Jamie Mayo of Monroe, 134,612 votes (64.2%) to 75,004 (35.8%).[12] He was sworn into office on January 3, 2015.
Abraham defeated three challengers in 2018: Billy Burkette, an Independent from Pride, Louisiana; Jessee Carlton Fleenor, a Democrat from Loranger, and Kyle Randol, a Libertarian from Monroe.[15] Abraham polled 149,010 votes (67%) to Fleenor's 67,113 votes (30%). Burkette and Randol received the remaining 3%.[16]
Tenure
After his election, Abraham chose Luke Letlow, his campaign manager, as chief of staff.[17]
In December 2017, Abraham voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.[20] After voting, he said, "This is going to be a great tax bill, and great tax reform not only for Louisiana but for the United States." He said businesses would benefit greatly and be able to "reinvest in their infrastructure, reinvest in their employees", and that wages would increase and job opportunities grow.[21]
In 2020, Abraham opted not to run for reelection, and endorsed Letlow in the election to succeed him.[22] Letlow won the election, but died from COVID-19 complications a few days before he was scheduled to take office.[23] Letlow's widow, Julia, won the special election to fill the vacancy.[2]
In March 2017, Abraham visited with about 70 farmers from the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, an agricultural lobby. He told them, "Food security is national security. Agriculture is at the forefront of the fight because any interruption in the food supply or a compromise in its safety goes right to the heart of the nation."[30] Marty Wooldridge, a cattleman from Caddo Parish, said that Abraham's slogan "Food security is national security" should be incorporated into the Farm Bureau's slogan. Louisiana's only member on the House Agriculture Committee, Abraham saw his job in part as "educating members whose districts might be deeply metropolitan and who have no perspective on the importance of agriculture."[30] In 2018, he was named to the conference committee for the 2018 Farm Bill. The conference committee resolves differences in the House and the Senate versions of the Farm Bill.[31]
On the topic of COVID-19, Abraham has said that masking, lockdowns and vaccination requirements "were practically ineffective."[33] He said that the adverse effects of COVID vaccines were "suppressed", "we don't know" whether recipients of COVID vaccines can safely donate blood, and suggested that COVID vaccines may be linked to miscarriages.[33]
Regarding illegal immigration, Abraham opposed amnesty and supported strengthening border security.[32] He supported Trump's 2017 executive order to temporarily halt immigration from seven specified nations until the development of more enhanced screening methods. His spokesman said, "Dr. Abraham generally supports President Trump's temporary suspension of the refugee and immigration admittance program. Dr. Abraham agrees with President Trump that we must take all necessary steps to protect American citizens from potential terrorism threats, and this temporary measure from the President will allow for a thorough review of our policies and procedures for vetting applicants from war-torn areas."[34]
Abraham has said he supports banning sanctuary cities in Louisiana, and that he would pay for four minority congresswomen, three of whom were born in the U.S., to leave the United States, if they would tell him where they'd like to go, referencing Trump's "send them back" comments.[35]
Death penalty
Abraham has said he supports the death penalty and as governor would find a way to resume executions in the state. He also wants to expand it to include child molesters.[36][37]
Abortion
Abraham opposes late term abortions. In May 2015, he said, "As a doctor, I know and I can attest that this bill is backed by scientific research showing that babies can indeed feel pain at 20 weeks, if not before".[38]
Drug policy
In 2016, Abraham had a "D" rating from marijuana legalization advocacy group NORML for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes.[39]
LGBT issues
Abraham was "100 percent" opposed to transgender people serving in the military.[18]
^Abraham's chief of staff Luke Letlow was elected to succeed him, but died on December 29, 2020, of COVID-19 before taking office.[1] A special election was held on March 20, 2021, and was won by Letlow's widow, Julia Letlow, who assumed the office on April 14.[2]
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