Luke Letlow joins congressional race; has backing of Congressman Ralph Abraham

Republican Luke Letlow has joined the 5th Congressional District race to replace his retiring boss U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham.

Letlow, who ran Abraham's first campaign in 2014 and has been his chief of staff for three terms, has the congressman's backing in the race.

“I’m proud to have stood alongside Congressman Ralph Abraham during his time in Congress, and to have worked with him to fight for our families, farmers and businesses,” said Letlow, 40, who lives in Start. “I’m launching my campaign for congress today to continue that record of results for Louisiana and keep our economy moving forward. We’re just getting started.”

Letlow joins three other announced candidates and others who are testing the waters.

State Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, Republican Ouachita Parish Police Juror Scotty Robinson and Alexandria Democrat "Candy" Christophe previously said they will run.

State Reps. Jack McFarland, R-Winnfield, and Mike Johnson, R-Alexandria, and former state Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, have said they're considering the race.

More:State Representative Lance Harris jumps into 5th Congressional District race

Abraham announced last month that he wouldn't seek a fourth term, honoring a pledge he made in 2014 to serve only three terms.

He told USA Today Network then he would support Letlow in the race if he decided to run.

"Luke has played a vital and integral part of every decision I've made in Congress," Abraham said. "If Luke should decide to get in the game he'll have my full backing."

Letlow, 40, has worked in politics for most of his career but never run for elective office. He was an intern for former Republican 5th District Congressman John Cooksey, worked for Republican Bobby Jindal when Jindal was in Congress and during Jindal's first term as governor.

He worked in the oil and gas industry two years in Denver before returning to Louisiana in 2014 to run Abraham's campaign. 

Letlow resigned as chief of staff to run for the seat.

The 5th District is the largest geographic district in the state. It has Monroe and Alexandria as the population hubs, but but dips into Acadiana to take in Opelousas and into the Florida parishes to take in Bogalusa.

The election is Nov. 3

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.