Candidates are taking notice, as former Physician to the President Ronny Jackson enters the race for the 13th District U.S. House seat.

On Monday, Wichita Falls businessman and Republican congressional candidate Chris Ekstrom released a statement aimed at Ronny Jackson’s entry into the race for U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry’s seat. In the statement, Ekstrom pointed out that Jackson served as Physician to the President under President Barack Obama, while also saying that the Obama Administration oversaw the “destruction of American health care.”

“President Obama called Dr. Jackson a ‘dedicated and valuable member’ of his team during his failed administration and also stated that he had earned his ‘complete trust,’” Ekstrom’s campaign said in the statement. “As every conservative knows, the Obama Administration saw the destruction of American health care with the failed socialist Obamacare scheme. Many Americans lost coverage, paid higher deductibles, and had to find a new Doctor. All while Dr. Jackson served as Barack Obama’s physician.”

Ekstrom’s campaign went on to say that it looks forward to “a spirited debate about which candidate will best represent the conservative values of Texas 13 in the weeks ahead.”

As we have previously reported, Jackson served as Physician to the President under Presidents Obama and Donald Trump.

In addition to Jackson and Ekstrom, a number of Republicans are seeking the seat being vacated by Thornberry. The Republican field includes Jamie Culley, Jason Foglesong, Lee Harvey, Elaine Hays, Rich Herman, Diane Knowlton, Matt McArthur, Mark Neese, Asusena Resendiz, Vance Snider, Catherine “I Swear” Carr, Josh Winegarner, and Monique Worthy.

Primary election day is on March 3, 2020.