Retiring Rep. Rodney Alexander to take job in Jindal administration

By Aaron Blake August 7, 2013 Follow @aaronblake

House Speaker John Boehner (R), left, administers the oath to Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.), during a mock swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill on Jan. 5. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press)

Update 4:52 p.m.: The official announcement has been made. Alexander will resign Sept. 26 to take his new post.

Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.), who announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in 2014, is accepting a new post in the administration of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R).

Alexander will be announced as the new head of the state's Department of Veterans Affairs, a person with knowledge of the job confirmed.

A news conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Alexander is likely to resign his House seat either next month or in October, which would lead to a special election. Alexander's district is considered a safe Republican district.

In announcing his retirement Tuesday, Alexander cited gridlock in Washington as the reason for his exit.

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Aaron Blake covers national politics and writes regularly for The Fix.

Follow @aaronblake

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