Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, announced Monday he is running for the Republican chairmanship of the House Armed Services Committee, contingent on winning reelection in November.

He will face fellow Republican Reps. Rob Wittman of Virginia and Trent Kelly of Mississippi, who also are seeking reelection and have launched bids for the chairmanship. Jackson said he would use the post to advance President Donald Trump's defense priorities.

"As Chairman, I will work to strengthen our national defense, support our servicemembers and their families, advance President Trump's Peace Through Strength agenda, and safeguard America for generations to come," Jackson said in a statement.

Republicans will retain the committee chairmanship only if they keep their House majority. 

Jackson, a retired Navy rear admiral and former White House physician, chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations.

Wittman chairs the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, while Kelly chairs the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

Current Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., is term-limited under House Republican rules but could seek a waiver to remain in the post.

Both Wittman and Kelly have more seniority on the committee than Jackson. Wittman is widely viewed as the front-runner, Politico reported.

Jackson is a close ally of Trump and was nominated to serve as Veterans Affairs secretary in 2018, but his nomination stalled over questions about his behavior while serving as White House physician.

The Texas congressman also touted his fundraising prowess when announcing his run, noting he'd contributed more than $1 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee and sought to distribute $380,000 to over 100 candidates.

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.