Voters return veterinarians to Congress

Voters gave each of the three veterinarians serving in the House of Representatives another term in the Nov. 8, 2016, general election.

Dr. Kurt Schrader, a Democrat from Canby, Oregon, overcame two challengers with nearly 54 percent of the vote and won a fifth term as his state’s 5th District representative. Dr. Ted Yoho, a Republican from Gainesville, Florida, bested two challengers with 56.5 percent of the vote to claim a third term as his state’s 3rd District representative to Congress. Dr. Ralph Abraham, a Republican from Alto, Louisiana, easily won a second term representing his state’s 5th Congressional district with almost 82 percent of the vote.

Newcomer Dr. Angela Demaree lost her bid to unseat Republican incumbent Susan Brooks of Indiana’s 5th congressional district (see JAVMA, April 1, 2016).

Dr. Schrader earned his DVM degree in 1977 from the University of Illinois and spent more than three decades as a farmer and veterinarian before winning a seat in Congress in 2008. He is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.

Dr. Yoho is a 1983 University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. He owned several practices and worked as a large animal veterinarian prior to being elected to Congress in 2012. Dr. Yoho serves on several House committees and subcommittees on agriculture, livestock, and foreign affairs.

Dr. Abraham graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1980 and practiced for 10 years before eventually seeking his MD degree. He is a member of several House committees and subcommittees and is chairman of the House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, a position rarely achieved by freshmen members of Congress.