Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, said Thursday that he is considering a run to be the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee after the midterms, Politico reported.
The three-term congressman would likely face off against Republican Reps. Rob Wittman of Virginia and Trent Kelly of Mississippi.
Jackson said he would not base his decision on events such as Virginia's move to redraw its congressional districts, which could put Wittman's seat at risk.
"If I do it, I'm going to do it regardless of any other factors," Jackson said.
"It's not going to be related to anything else that's going on or anybody else that's running."
Jackson, who served as a Navy officer and White House physician, currently chairs the House Armed Services Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee.
Wittman and Kelly, who are also subcommittee chairs, have said they intend to run. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., the current chair of the committee, is approaching his term limit but may pursue an exception to remain in the position.
Both Wittman and Kelly have more seniority than Jackson.
"That's not the way we operate here in the House, and it's not the way we operate in the Republican Party. Everything's not based on seniority," Jackson said.
"It should be the right person for the job. And if I feel like I'm the right person for the job, then I'll put my name in the hat," he continued.
"I may not have been here in Congress as long as some people, but I have 25 years in the United States Navy. That counts for something."
Jackson is a close ally of President Donald Trump and was previously nominated to serve as Veterans Affairs secretary in 2018, but his nomination stalled over questions about his behavior while serving as White House physician.
In 2022, he was demoted from rear admiral to captain by the Navy while in retirement after a Pentagon review found he engaged in "inappropriate conduct" as White House physician.
Jackson dismissed the review and demotion as politically motivated retribution from the Biden administration.
The Trump administration later reinstated his rear admiral rank.
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