Georgia congressman Graves’ son injured during cycling race

ATLANTA – U.S. Rep. Tom Graves’ son was critically injured while competing in a race with Georgia Tech’s cycling team on Sunday morning.

The Republican congressman said on Twitter on Monday that his son John was injured during a cycling event in Calhoun, Georgia and airlifted to a trauma centre, where he remains in intensive care.

“He’s a strong boy and is showing signs of responsiveness,” Graves said.

The six-term Graves, who represents Georgia’s conservative northwest corner, announced in December that he’s not seeking reelection this year. Graves said in a statement then that with his wife “near retirement and my kids now suddenly adults, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2020, and instead, join my family in their new and unique journeys.”

Graves is a senior member of the powerful Appropriations Committee.

Before he ran for Congress in 2010, Graves served seven years in the Georgia legislature. He was first elected to office at age 32.