Mark Burns, an evangelical pastor who was an early supporter of President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE's 2016 campaign, is mounting a bid to succeed Rep. Trey Gowdy Harold (Trey) Watson GowdySunday shows preview: Election integrity dominates as Nov. 3 nears Tim Scott invokes Breonna Taylor, George Floyd in Trump convention speech Sunday shows preview: Republicans gear up for national convention, USPS debate continues in Washington MORE (R) in South Carolina's 4th Congressional District.

Burns announced the run in a video posted on Facebook and YouTube on Friday, in which he is billed as "Trump's top pastor" and a defender of the brand of conservatism championed by former President Ronald Reagan.

"We need to combat leftist, liberal ideology that’s dividing our nation. It’s creating dependency,” Burns told Bloomberg in an interview.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We need to create opportunities over dependency — dependency is what’s plaguing our low-income communities. As a black man, I’m able to say what white politicians cannot say because they don’t want to be labeled a racist."

Gowdy announced late last month that he would not seek reelection later this year, saying that he planned to "return to the justice system." He previously worked as a federal prosecutor before being elected to Congress.

Gowdy won reelection in 2016 with 67 percent of the vote, and his congressional district is considered a sure-thing for Republican candidates.

According to the Greenville News, Burns is the sixth Republican to enter the race to succeed Gowdy. Four Democrats are also running for the seat.

Burns gave a speech in support of Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention, and currently serves as a member of the president's Faith Advisory Council.