The veterinary duo now serving in Congress will become a trio in January when Louisiana Republican Ralph Abraham, DVM, is sworn in. The 1980 graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine won the runoff election for the state’s 5th District on Dec. 6. Dr. Abraham’s career as a practitioner lasted 10 years, until 1990, when he entered the LSU School of Medicine and later earned a human medicine degree and re-entered the work force as a general family practitioner. “We are thrilled to see another elected official with a DVM on his resume serving in the next Congress,” the American Veterinary Medical Association reported. Abraham won election over Democrat Jamie Mayo by collecting 64 percent of the vote. “Grateful for this win!” he told supporters in a post on his campaign Facebook page Dec. 7. “My family and I will be at church in the morning, but we will begin aggressively going to work for the voters of [District 5] bright & early on Monday.” Abraham is a self-described conservative, opposing abortion, gun control, new taxes and career politicians, according to his campaign website. He wants to fix the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, explaining that “as a physician, I see the problems with it every day and know I can offer solutions to improve it.” Currently serving in the U.S. House are veterinarians Kurt Schrader, DVM, a Democrat from Oregon, and Ted Yoho, DVM, a Republican from Florida.
