Graves’ decision comes a month after the Supreme Court ordered Louisiana to use a redrawn map He serves the 6th Congressional District, Within the state’s second majority black district. That left Graves, who is white, an uphill battle His District or He may run against Republican Rep. Julia Ledlow in the neighboring 5th Congressional District.
Graves, who was first elected in 2014, was a close ally of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) before his ouster last year. Graves played a key role in negotiating the May 2023 deal to keep the U.S. from defaulting on debt.
He also authored the centerpiece of a legislative package that sought to reduce energy costs.
Graveyards The first was a reaction to the Supreme Court ruling By pledging to run for re-election in an unspecified “capital-anchored district,” referring to the Baton Rouge area. But House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) launched an effort to block a member-by-member primary by endorsing all of his Louisiana GOP colleagues, including Graves, up for re-election in existing districts.
While the map endangered Graves, it also protected the rest of the Louisiana GOP delegation, including two of its most powerful members — Johnson, the speaker, and Rep. Steve Scalise, the House Majority Leader.
On Friday, Graves predicted redistricting after the 2024 election. He also lamented Louisiana’s loss of influence on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, of which he is a member.
“Admittedly, it was a bitter disappointment to miss a historic opportunity to champion Louisiana’s priorities in this committee,” he said.
The map, which would split Graves’ district, has the support of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, an intra-party rival for Congress. Last year, Graves endorsed one of Landry’s GOP opponents for governor.
Graves’ decision leaves two Democrats running for the 6th District: state Sen. Cleo Fields and social justice activist Quentin Anthony Anderson. The deadline for filing nominations is July 19.
In Louisiana, congressional candidates of all parties run on the same ballot in the November election; If no one gets a majority, the top two vote getters advance to December 2.
