Baton Rouge, LA (6/16/2024) – Congressman Garret Graves has announced his decision not to seek re-election for the Louisiana 6th Congressional District, citing significant concerns over gerrymandering. In his statement, Graves conveyed his gratitude for the honor of representing South Louisiana and outlined the factors influencing his decision.
“Representing South Louisiana and serving in the United States Congress has been an incredible honor,” Graves stated, underscoring that his actions have always prioritized the best interests of his constituents, resulting in substantial accomplishments for the district.
A critical factor in Graves’ decision is the ongoing redistricting process, which he describes as a form of gerrymandering that threatens fair representation. “After much input from constituents, consultation with supporters, consensus from family, and guidance from the Almighty, it is clear that running for Congress this year does not make sense,” Graves said. He emphasized that running in temporarily drawn districts could cause lasting damage to Louisiana’s representation. “Campaigning in any of these districts now is not fair to any of the Louisianians who will inevitably be tossed into yet another district next year,” he explained.
Graves also highlighted the consequences of gerrymandering on Louisiana’s potential to chair the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “This committee is the throttle for federal action on traffic, bridges, railroads, and airports – and Louisiana priorities like ports and Mississippi River commerce, coastal and hurricane and flood protection, disaster response and recovery, national defense and Coast Guard, economic development, and more,” he elaborated. The potential disruption from gerrymandering jeopardizes this historic opportunity to advance Louisiana’s interests.
Reflecting on his tenure, Graves noted the progress and new friendships formed over the years. Despite the polarized political climate, he received over 80 percent of the vote in the last election, affirming his alignment with his constituents’ needs. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve,” Graves said, expressing deep appreciation for the support he received.
Graves reaffirmed his commitment to several key issues, including eliminating unjust Social Security penalties, finalizing disaster relief measures, and maintaining superior constituent services. “We remain committed to getting unjust Social Security penalties removed, finishing the duplication of benefits fix for remaining disaster victims and other priorities,” he assured, highlighting his ongoing dedication to South Louisiana.
Congressman Graves’ decision not to seek re-election amidst gerrymandering concerns marks a significant moment for Louisiana’s 6th District. His contributions and steadfast service will be remembered as the region navigates the challenges posed by redistricting and works toward fair representation in Congress.
