Retiring U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) is putting candidates running for his seat on notice, as the field of contenders hoping to succeed the longtime legislator continues to grow.

In a statement released Tuesday, Thornberry took aim at candidates for his seat who are from outside of the district. The statement, shared on Twitter by Patrick Svitek, did not name specific candidates, but many felt the message to be directed as Dallas businessman Chris Ekstrom, a declared candidate for the seat, and potential candidate Ronny Jackson, the former Physician to the President under Presidents Obama and Trump, who is originally from Levelland.

“When I announced that I would not seek re-election to Congress, I expected that there would be a number of candidates in the race,” Thornberry said. “I did not expect, however, that there would be candidates for the 13th District who do not live in the District, did not grow up in the District, or have any meaningful ties to the people they wish to represent.”

Thornberry went on to say that there are “a number of good candidates” who are from the 13th District who voters should consider supporting.

Federal law does not require a candidate to live in a particular district to run for its congressional seat, according to records. A number of high-profile House races in recent years have included candidates not originally from their districts.

Candidates can continue to file for spots on the ballot through December 9.