WASHINGTON — CLARIFICATION: Wittman’s press secretary said Friday that he will not seek the chairmanship on the House Armed Services Committee at this time.
With more than 50 races yet to be called, it could take days or weeks to count all of the votes to determine which party won the U.S. House of Representatives.
If the Republican Party maintains control of the House, some have wondered if it would mean changes in the Armed Services Committee, perhaps involving a local lawmaker.
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R, VA-01) currently serves as vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. And he has made no secret about his desire to eventually become chairman of that panel. Back in September, Wittman spoke about this:
"Virginia is ground zero for much of our military. I want to make sure we continue to support that. Being in a leadership position there on the House Armed Services Committee allows me to do a lot of things. Eventually competing to become chairman would allow me to do even more," he said in an interview with 13News Now.
However, on Friday morning, Nov. 8, Wittman’s press secretary told 13News Now that he will not seek the chairmanship on the House Armed Services Committee at this time.
"Rep. Wittman has the utmost respect for the work and leadership of Chairman [Mike] Rogers (R-AL) and has no intention of competing with him for chairman of the House Armed Services Committee," said Julianne Heberlein, communications director for Rep. Wittman.
She continued, "He looks forward to working with and supporting Chairman Rogers for the duration of his full term to strengthen the U.S. military over the next Congress. Rep. Wittman eventually hopes to compete for the position after Chairman Rogers’ term ends.”
The committee is responsible for funding and oversight of the Department of Defense and the United States Armed Forces. Wittman has served on the committee since he was first elected to Congress in 2007.
Wittman won reelection in Virginia's First Congressional District on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. He defeated Democrat challenger Leslie Mehta in a race covering the newly redrawn U.S. House District 1, which now includes Chesterfield and Henrico counties.
