In Louisiana, the threat of flooding is a reality that our citizens know all too well. There is much we can do to improve flood prevention from the federal level, including smart investments in flood control and drainage projects that provide community-wide and regional benefits to the homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure located near our coasts and waterways.
Ralph Abraham, M.D., is serving his third term after being first elected in December 2014. His district is the largest in terms of area in the state, spanning 24 parishes across most of Northeast and Central Louisiana and parts of five Florida parishes in the state’s southern “boot.” This is his first publicly held office after spending most of his life as a practicing physician, veterinarian, business owner, farmer, pilot and veteran.
Dr. Abraham is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, a post he will use to advocate for America’s men and women who serve in our military. He will also prioritize Louisiana’s military installations, including Fort Polk, Barksdale Air Force Base and the Naval base in Belle Chasse.
Dr. Abraham was a First Lieutenant with the 20th SFG Airborne Division of the Army National Guard from 1986-1989. Additionally, he is a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot who currently flies reconnaissance missions for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and he is a mission pilot for the Air Force’s Civil Air Patrol Green Flag Program.
Dr. Abraham also serves on the Agriculture Committee. His district is one of the largest row crop districts in the nation, and many of the district’s farmers raise livestock. Dr. Abraham has spent a lifetime working on his farm, building miles of fences, driving open-cab tractors, herding cattle and breaking wild horses. He understands firsthand the hard work that America’s farmers put in daily.
Dr. Abraham has previously served on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Dr. Abraham is a member of the Doctors Caucus, Veterinary Medicine Caucus, National Guard Caucus, Coast Guard Caucus, Sportsmen’s Caucus, Mississippi River Caucus, and the National Guard Youth Challenge Caucus.
Dr. Abraham grew up in rural Richland Parish where he and his wife, Dianne, reside today. Dr. Abraham graduated from Mangham High School before earning his degree at Louisiana State University. He graduated from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and practiced for 10 years before eventually seeking his Medical Doctor degree, which he earned at the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport. As Dr. Abraham likes to say, he wanted to be able to “treat anything that walks on two or four legs.”
Dr. Abraham is a business owner and certified flight instructor.
Dr. Abraham and Dianne have been married for 43 years. They have three grown children and nine grandchildren.
