Florida GOP Rep. Carlos Gimenez on Wednesday officially entered the race to replace House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, after the latter announced that he intends to resign from Congress soon.

Green, who made the announcement last month, said he will resign from the lower chamber once it votes on the reconciliation package again, in order to take a job in the private sector. 

The Tennessee Republican was first elected to Congress in 2018 and helped orchestrate the impeachment of former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024.

Gimenez, who currently serves on the committee, sent a letter to his colleagues asking for their support, and notified the House Steering Committee of his intention to run. 

“The reason why he’s served for 25 years and hasn’t lost an election is because he’s a straight shooter, people trust him,” a spokesperson for the congressman told Politico. 

The lawmaker highlighted his career in public service, which also included a career in Miami where he became the youngest fire chief in Miami history. He also served as Miami city manager and later as the mayor of Miami-Dade County.

“These roles were not theoretical, they were boots-on-the-ground, real world experiences that mirror the mission of this committee,” he wrote.

Green has not endorsed anyone to replace him so far, and no other lawmaker has formally declared a bid for the top post.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.