BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham has jumped into the Louisiana governor's race, becoming the second Republican to announce he'll challenge Democratic incumbent John Bel Edwards in the 2019 election.

The congressman's decision Thursday comes a month after he won re-election to a third term in the U.S. House and days after U.S. Sen. John Kennedy declared that he wouldn't run.

Abraham hopes his quick decision upon Kennedy's exit will keep other possible Republican contenders away from the race and rally GOP support for him. He issued a brief statement announcing his candidacy and saying he'll have an official campaign launch early next year.

Abraham is a doctor from rural northeast Louisiana. He joins wealthy Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone as the Republican contenders vying to keep Edwards from a second term.

Governor. John Bel Edwards responded to the announcement stating he is happy for the debate and proud of the work he has accomplished during his term.

“I welcome this debate. I've got a consistent record of working across the aisle to get things done for Louisiana. Together, we've turned a $2 billion budget deficit into a budget surplus. Last year, we reduced the tax burden on the people of Louisiana by $600 million. Our economy is the 12th fastest growing in the country. More people are working in Louisiana than ever before. And we are securing the largest economic development projects in our state’s history. The state and our people are much better off now than they were three years ago, and I look forward to another 5 years of putting the people of Louisiana first."