Eliza Collins, and Paul Singer

USA TODAY

A former CIA officer and the chief policy director at the House Republican Conference jumped into the presidential race on Monday in an apparent protest to Donald Trump's candidacy.

"Like millions of Americans, I had hoped this year would bring us better nominees who, despite party differences, could offer compelling visions of a better future. Instead, we have been left with two candidates who are fundamentally unfit for the profound responsibilities they seek," Evan McMullin wrote in a letter on his campaign website. "With the stakes so high for our nation and at this late stage in the process, I can no longer stand on the sidelines. Our country needs leaders who are in it for the right reasons and who actually understand what makes this country the greatest on earth. Leaders who will unite us and guide us to a prosperous, secure future, beyond the dysfunction of a broken political system."

McMullin is little known even among Republicans in Washington. He has worked on Capitol Hill only since 2013, first on the House Foreign Affairs Committee then as policy director for the House Republican Conference. His boss there, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., has already endorsed Trump.

Evanmcmullin.com launched Monday morning and he had updated his Twitter profile to say he was running for president. "Former CIA operative, businessman, House Chief Policy Director. Standing up to run for president because it’s never too late to do the right thing," the bio reads.

McMullin has been regularly posting anti-Trump commentary on his Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Nate Hodson, a spokesman for the conference, said Monday, "The House Republican Conference has zero knowledge of his intentions."

McMullin apparently no longer works for the conference.

BuzzFeed News and MSNBC's Joe Scarborough first reported the bid.