Georgia GOP Rep Tom Graves to retire
WASHINGTON (AP) — Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Graves said Thursday 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, and the third Capitol Hill lawmaker from Georgia who won’t seek re-election in 2020. Health problems are prompting Republican Sen. Johnny Iskason to step down at the end of December. GOP Rep. Rob Woodall, narrowly reelected last year in a diversifying district outside Atlanta, will exit at the end of next year. In a statement addressing his constituents, 49-year-old Graves of Ranger called his decade in Washington “an honor that won’t be replicated.” But he said he’s “entering a new season in life” with his wife nearing retirement and their children now young adults.