Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Graves says he’ll retire after his current term in Congress, joining a larger-than-typical group of lawmakers taking their leave from an increasingly partisan and unproductive Washington.
The six-term congressman is the 21st House Republican to announce his retirement, telling his constituents in conservative northwest Georgia that he’s entering a new season in life and wants to spend time with his soon-to-retire wife Julie and adult children. He represents the 14th Congressional District, which covers Rome and Dalton.
Graves, 49, has been a GOP loyalist throughout his tenure, easily winning a special election in 2010 and never facing a threat since in his strongly Republican district. He is a senior member of the powerful Appropriations Committee and is the top Republican on a panel established by majority Democrats to reform the operations of Congress.
In an announcement Thursday, he said: “Serving the country I love so much, and representing the community I hold so dear, is an honor that won’t be replicated. To my constituents, both past and present, thank you for your vote of confidence and trust. What an incredible privilege it has been to represent you in Congress.”
Sen. Johnny Isakson, who announced in August that he was stepping down this year because of Parkinson’s disease, thanked Graves for his service to the state.
“He is one of a kind – a great Georgian, a great American and a great representative of our state,” he said in a statement. “I’ve been proud to stand with him to fight for Georgians, and I’m proud to call him my friend.
U. S. Rep Tom Graves answers questions from reporters after visiting the GE Roper plant Tuesday in LaFayette.