U.S. Representative Garret Graves says he will not seek re-election to Congress. Last month Graves said he would seek re-election, but didn’t know if he would campaign in his current district or seek to unseat Start Republican Rep. Julia Letlow.
Political commentator Bernie Pinsonat wasn’t surprised.
“He backed the wrong candidate against Landry. I don’t know what else you can do politically to irritate a lot of the people who are in power. Well whatever that is, Garret Graves did it,” said Pinsonat.
Graves’ current Sixth District was modified for the upcoming race and will stretch from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. This change makes the district a majority-minority.
“It was a long shot for him to win in the new congressional district because it literally has too many black voters for him to have a real shot at it,” Pinsonat said.
Pinsonat says Graves is still politically popular, but just not viable for a congressional seat. Pinsonat doesn’t think Graves is riding off into the sunset just yet.
“I think he’s going to bide his time and figure out what is available, and if something does become available you can count on Garret Graves to actually run. He’s to young to hang up his tennis shoes and give up,” said Pinsonat.
