Luke Letlow Enters Race for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District

Photo source: Twitter

Chief of Staff of retiring Congressman Ralph Abraham, Luke Letlow, has announced his intention on winning the seat being vacated by his former boss.

In a Twitter post, which can be seen below, Letlow announces his candidacy for the 5th Congressional District in Louisiana.

I’m a ninth generation Louisianan who’s worked tirelessly alongside @RepAbraham to defend our values. I know we need a fighter in Congress who'll join @realDonaldTrump to defeat radical socialism and strengthen our economy. Join our campaign today https://t.co/UYR3juVTrn pic.twitter.com/QFW6Npr7pf

— Luke Letlow (@LukeLetlow) March 9, 2020

In announcing his candidacy, Letlow had the following to say:

“I’m proud to have stood alongside Congressman Ralph Abraham during his time in Congress, and to have worked with him to fight for our families, farmers and businesses,” Letlow said in a statement. “I’m launching my campaign for Congress today to continue that record of results for Louisiana and keep our economy moving forward. We’re just getting started.”

Read more: Abraham's chief of staff seeks Louisiana congressional seat

GURVICH: LAGOP Saddened on Retirement of Congressman Ralph Abraham

We at the Republican Party of Louisiana are saddened to learn of Congressman Ralph Abraham’s decision not to run for re-election for his LA District 5 seat. For six years Congressman Abraham has defended the interests of District 5 tirelessly. His relentless advocacy on behalf of his constituents has meant improvements in their quality of life, access to economic opportunities, and defense of their values.

Among his many achievements as a Representative, Congressman Abraham was able to successfully usher in an expansion of Louisiana’s Rice and Agricultural industries. He achieved this by sponsoring legislation that enabled Louisiana’s agricultural goods to be sold in ever-growing international markets. As a member of the Armed Services, Agriculture, Veteran’s Affairs, and Science, Space, and Technology Committees, Congressman Abraham always applied his vast knowledge and deep passion to solving issues and supporting legislation to make America stronger and a better place for our citizens to live and raise their families.

A true servant leader to his bones, Congressman Abraham has always been a man of his word. Whether that meant continuing to defend our nation through service in the Air Force, serving his patients as a doctor, or staying true to his commitments to the voters, he has earned his place as one of Louisiana’s most honest and trustworthy politicians.Though we at the Republican Party of Louisiana are sad to see Congressman Abraham leave Washington, we are inspired by his determination to end his congressional career by keeping his original promise to the voters that he would only serve three terms.

With his departure, Washington D.C. will be left one-honest man short. On behalf of the Republican Party of Louisiana, I would like to thank this modern Cincinnatus for his service to District 5, the State of Louisiana, and the United States of America. Well done, sir!

Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Republican Party of Louisiana

Ralph Abraham Announces Retirement from US House After Current Term is Completed

Congressman Ralph Abraham has announced that he will retire his seat in the US House of Representatives at the completion of his current term. The announcement was made on Facebook and can be found below:

Congressman Clay Higgins on Why He’s Endorsed Ralph Abraham for Governor

LOGPAC Endorses Congressman Ralph Abraham for Governor

Announces Other Statewide Endorsements for 2019 Primary Election

LAFAYETTE, LA (September 26th, 2019) - Today, the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association Political Action Committee (LOGPAC) endorsed Ralph Abraham in the race for governor and announced its support of other statewide candidates and elected officials seeking office this year.

“The Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee is pleased to endorse Congressman Ralph Abraham in the race for governor,” said Gifford Briggs, Executive Director of LOGPAC. “From lawsuits, to taxes and regulations, the energy industry is facing serious challenges that must be immediately addressed to bring jobs, investments and opportunities back to Louisiana. Far too many of our workers and families have been hurting for far too long. We believe Congressman Abraham understands these challenges and will provide the strong leadership that’s necessary to revitalize Louisiana’s energy industry.”

At an election rally in Lafayette today, LOGPAC also endorsed the following candidates/elected officials:

Lieutenant Governor: Billy Nungesser 

Secretary of State: Kyle Ardoin 

Attorney General: Jeff Landry 

Treasurer: John M. Schroder

Supreme Court: Judge Will Crain

“Louisiana oil and gas fuels our economy and our environment,” Briggs said. “Our industry supports over 260,000 jobs and contributes more than $2 billion in taxes, all while playing a leading role in providing much needed funds for restoration and hurricane protection projects to strengthen our coast. But we are facing serious challenges that are detrimental to current and future growth—and it is more important than ever that citizens across the state engage in the election process and demand policies that will bring our jobs and families back to Louisiana. We are proud to endorse these candidates who will fight for a robust oil and gas industry and a better Louisiana for generations to come.”

For a complete list of LOGPAC endorsements, including legislative and local candidates, please visit: GeauxElections.com.

About LOGPAC:

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee (LOGPAC) is the political arm of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. LOGPAC exists due to businesses facing constant threats posed by litigation, over regulation, and excessive taxation. To protect against such threats, the oil and gas industry needs a large, efficient and unified representation to make their voices heard. LOGPAC looks to support candidates and legislators that celebrate Louisiana’s oil and gas industry. 

After Rispone Decided to Go After Fellow Republican, Cajun Conservatism Endorses Ralph Abraham

In what has to be the absolute dumbest political move in the governor’s race thus far, Eddie Rispone’s campaign has decided to go the way of Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle in the last election and attack a fellow Republican candidate. A piece that started running on television yesterday goes after Congressman Ralph Abraham on what can only be described as total irrelevant issues.

As a result, Cajun Conservatism will publicly endorse Ralph Abraham for governor. Congressman Abraham is a proven conservative with a record that reflects such.

Rispone should immediately pull the ad and issue a statement repudiating it. If not, it will only show that he is in bed with the Edwards campaign.

Jeff Landry Hosts Annual Alligator Hunt

This weekend, AG Jeff Landry hosted his annual Alligator Hunt, with hundreds of supporters coming out to enjoy Cajun hospitality.

Several local elected officials, along with those seeking elected office, were in attendance, including Dr. Ralph Abraham, who is looking to unseat Louisiana’s Cajun Obama, John Bel Edwards.

"Honor Code" Sides with "The Squad" Rather Than President Trump

For all the BS that “Honor Code” John Bel Edwards spouts about being a moderate Democrat, this one post regarding tweets sent out by President Trump speak otherwise. Gov. Edwards has come down on the side of the anti-semites, anti-American crew of whack jobs otherwise known as “The Squad”

When November gets closer and closer, you’ll surely see him try to promote some conservative credentials. Don’t let this man fool you; he’s another liberal Democrat trying to hide in sheep’s clothing.

Abraham, Louisiana Delegation Urge USDA Help Farmers Affected by Morganza Spillway

May 29, 2019  

Press Release 

WASHINGTON - Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., R-Alto, and the Louisiana Congressional delegation are urging the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be prepared to aid farmers in the wake of damages from the opening of the Morganza Spillway.
 
Abraham, who is Louisiana’s only member of a Congressional agriculture committee, led the delegation in the letter. They sent it to USDA Sec. Sonny Perdue on Friday, May 24.
 
The spillway, which is scheduled to open on June 2 for just the third time in its 46-year history, is expected to flood 25,000 acres of farmland in the Atchafalaya Basin. It could result to a total crop and aquaculture loss in the region. The letter also notes that farmers in the state are still contending with Chinese tariffs and recent severe weather.
 
“[W]e urge you to stand ready not only to provide all appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency and non-emergency resources available to those adversely impacted, but to assist eligible farmers and producers to access available aid across the federal government,” the letter said. “As you know, the impact of these repeated hits will be felt not only for the season, but for years and generations beyond.”
 
Those signing the letter along with Abraham were U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy and U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise, Cedric Richmond, Garret Graves, Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson.
 
Read the letter here.

###

ABRAHAM: Help Is On The Way

Rep. Ralph Abraham released his first digital ad in his bid to unseat Joh Bel Edwards for Louisiana Governor.  

Shining Light on the Toxic Relationship Between "Honor Code" and the Business Community in Louisiana

Photo source: The Advocate

In what is an opening salvo in the war for the Governor’s Seat in Louisiana, both Republican candidates sounded off on “Honor Code” John Bel Edwards’ relationship to the business community in the State of Louisiana.

Louisiana’s Republican candidates for governor talked Thursday of creating tighter and friendlier state government relationships with business, suggesting Democratic incumbent Gov. John Bel Edwards’ spending and tax policies have stifled job creation.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone spoke at an event hosted by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, a conservative think tank, a luncheon that gave some attendees their first viewing of the men in campaign mode.

Abraham described Louisiana’s tax climate as “toxic” to business and pledged to lower taxes if elected. Rispone touted his background as founder of a Baton Rouge industrial contracting company, saying Louisiana needs a leader with a “business background.”

Read more: GOP candidates for governor pledge tight ties with business

You can look no further than the shakedown of the oil and gas industry as proof of what kind of leadership we have in Louisiana. This opinion piece from the Washington Examiner highlights the governor’s intentions on destroying the main industry in this state:

“The governor has unilaterally and, according to some critics, unlawfully sought to hire some of the state’s wealthiest plaintiffs’ lawyers to run the energy industry-targeting litigation,” the American Tort Reform Foundation’s “Judicial Hellholes” report noted.

Read more: Louisiana's new trial lawyer shakedown

Hopefully the sheep that were led to believe the “moderate Democrat” crap that was spewed by “Honor Code” in 2015 will come to their senses and support a conservative candidate for Governor. We cannot survive another 4 years of this kind of leadership.

Could Louisiana Be the Home of the Proposed Space Force

Photo source: ArkLaTex 

Rep. Ralph Abraham has proposed to have Louisiana house President Trump’s Space Force:

“Should you select Louisiana as the headquarters for Space Command, you can rest assured that you will have picked a state that is open for investment and one that has unique qualities ideally suited to support Space Command’s growth and development,” Abraham wrote. “I look forward to working with you on seeing Space Command to the finish line as we take the next step in America’s rich and vibrant history of space exploration and development.”

Read more: Space Force based in Louisiana?

"Honor Code" Announces Re-election Intentions and a GOP Candidate Responds

Photo source: Wikipedia

Republican Louisiana gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham issued the following statement in response to Edwards' campaign launch video:

"Louisiana has seen the largest tax increase in state history, years of out-migration by the thousands, one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, failing grades for fiscal policy, and one of the weakest economies in the US under John Bel Edwards’ watch. If he's bragging about those as first term achievements, I'd hate to see what the next four years would look like. Louisiana is clearly on the wrong path, and the only way to correct it is with a new governor."

Read more: Governor Edwards issues video touting re-election bid

Graves & Abraham to Tax Bill Negotiators: Don’t forget about Louisiana flood victims

Photo source: ULLA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2017
Contact: Kevin Roig, 202-225-3901

WASHINGTON, DC – Louisiana Congressmen Garret Graves (R-Capital Region) and Ralph Abraham, M.D. (R-Alto) sent a letter today urging Senator Orrin Hatch, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and Congressman Kevin Brady, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means to retain disaster tax relief language in the final product of negotiations currently underway in Washington to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of major tax reform legislation.  The disaster tax relief, which was included by Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy in the Senate’s version of the bill, accomplishes the goals of separate legislation Graves introduced earlier this year - H.R. 2849, the Louisiana Flood and Storm Devastation Act of 2017, which would grant homeowners and individuals emergency tax relief, the ability to withdraw from retirement accounts without incurring penalties, casualty loss provisions, work opportunity tax credits for employers, and relief for certain charitable giving. The bipartisan bill was cosponsored by Congressmen Richmond (D-LA), Abraham and Higgins.

“We aren’t asking for special treatment,” reiterated Graves. “We’re asking for our flood victims to be given the same, common sense relief that disaster victims in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico were granted after disaster struck those communities.  Too often after disasters, government ends up getting in the way of recovery – this is a chance to actually help recovery and remove nonsensical penalties currently imposed on victims for wanting to take care of themselves.”

Dr. Abraham added, “Louisiana flood victims deserve equal access to disaster tax benefits that have been afforded to other states. Our people are still recovering from two historic floods we suffered last year, and this tax relief will go a long way toward facilitating that recovery.”

Louisiana Congressmen Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson also signed the letter, which can be readhere. You can read more about H.R. 2849 here.

Boustany and Abraham Want Border Security Legislation on House Floor

18 House members, including Congressmen Boustany and Abraham of Louisiana, have signed a letter of support to the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, regarding H.R. 399, the Secure Our Borders First Act, introduced by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX). The bill will beef up security on the southern border, and provide the opportunity for states to be reimbursed when utilizing the National Guard to conduct border security missions.

The letter states:

We write to request that you bring legislation to the House floor to enhance our nation’s border security. One of our primary responsibilities as Members of Congress is ensuring that our country is protected. Alarmingly, our southern border continues to be exploited for myriad illegal activities.

The southern border continues to be used by transnational criminal organizations to smuggle drugs, money, and weapons into our country increasing violence on both sides of the border. Additionally, we are concerned that without proper security, human trafficking along the border and the victimization of vulnerable individuals will continue unabated.

We applaud Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents for taking on the often dangerous work of defending our nation’s border. But we must continue to support their efforts by ensuring that CBP has access to the resources, infrastructure and technology agents and officers need as well as clear, constitutionally sound policies to follow while performing their jobs.

We believe Americans deserve to hear a full and vigorous debate on how best to achieve border security and ultimately to see Congress act on the issue to demonstrate our commitment to the CBP officers and agents working to secure our border every day.

Our national security and public safety is at stake, and we cannot afford to continue ignoring these issues. We urge you to work with the committees of relevant jurisdiction to allow the House of Representatives to vote on a bill that will take immediate steps toward achieving operational security of our southern border.

A signed copy of the letter is attached.