Rep. Tom Graves
Caption

Rep. Tom Graves

Georgia Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger) announced Thursday he will not be seeking re-election in 2020. 

In a letter to his constituents, the northwest Georgia lawmaker said "the time has come for me to pass the baton" and leave after nearly a decade in the House.

The 14th Congressional District sits at the top left corner of the state and includes Rome, Calhoun, Dalton, Dallas and Cedartown. 

Graves has represented that district since 2013, and represented the 9th Congressional District from 2010-2012 before redistricting.

He handily won re-election in 2018 with 77% of the vote, defeating a Democratic candidate who was in jail for a drunken driving charge.

Graves is the second Republican House member from Georgia who will not seek re-election. Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Lawrenceville) announced shortly after the November 2018 election he would be leaving as well.

When Sen. Johnny Isakson resigns at the end of 2019 for health reasons, Graves will become the most senior member of Georgia's Republican congressional delegation.

Gov. Brian Kemp named Atlanta businesswoman Kelly Loeffler as Isakson's replacement yesterday.