Several House Republicans are eyeing a run for the top GOP seat on the Natural Resources Committee, which will be vacant after the retirement at the end of this Congress of Rep. Rob Bishop Robert (Rob) William BishopLWCF modernization: Restoring the promise Trump signs major conservation bill into law Overnight Energy: House passes major conservation bill, sending to Trump | EPA finalizes rule to speed up review of industry permits MORE (Utah).

More than four members on the panel have voiced interest in taking over the powerful position. The possible contenders include Reps. Bruce Westerman Bruce Eugene WestermanCOVID-19 complicates California's record-setting wildfire season Cheap, at-home coronavirus tests exist — why aren't we using them? US officially joins global trillion tree planting initiative MORE (Ark.), Doug Lamborn Douglas (Doug) LambornIran must free Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani House GOP urge Trump against supporting additional funding for state and local governments House GOP lawmakers urge Senate to confirm Vought MORE (Colo.), Tom McClintock Thomas (Tom) Milller McClintockHouse to vote on removing cannabis from list of controlled substances House votes to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Cook shifts 20 House districts toward Democrats MORE (Calif.) and Paul Gosar Paul Anthony GosarPelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership LWCF modernization: Restoring the promise Trump tweets his people have all left Drudge MORE (Ariz.).

The role comes with a broad portfolio to oversee energy and mineral resources, water, oceans and wildlife, as well as Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring, making it an attractive position for members representing states with rich natural resources.

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One member who is already gearing up for the contest is Westerman, whose office recently sent out a note to GOP media contacts asking for them to reach out if they have previously “helped a current or former boss with a committee chairmanship run” before, according to a screenshot obtained by The Hill.

When asked whether he intends to throw his name in the ring, Westerman told The Hill: “I am looking at it.”

The Arkansas Republican, who describes himself on his website as an “engineer and forester by trade,” said that while it will be a great honor to serve in such a role, his current priority is regaining the House majority.

While Westerman is ninth in seniority among Republicans on the panel, which puts him behind several members also eyeing the spot, he is seen as a strong contender for the role.

Lamborn is fourth in seniority, behind Bishop, Rep. Don Young Donald (Don) Edwin YoungFlorida Democrat introduces bill to recognize Puerto Rico statehood referendum House Democratic campaign leader predicts bigger majority Young wins Alaska GOP House primary MORE (R-Alaska), who has already served as chairman, and Rep. Louie Gohmert Louis (Louie) Buller GohmertRep. Dan Meuser tests positive for COVID-19 Watchdog calls for probe into Gohmert 'disregarding public health guidance' on COVID-19 Massie plans to donate plasma after testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies MORE (R-Texas), whom GOP leadership is unlikely to consider because of his reputation as a conservative bomb-thrower.

“I am interested, yes,” Lamborn said when asked by The Hill about the role. He added that his “goal right now is to make sure Republicans are in the majority so that we are talking about chairmanships and not ranking memberships.”

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McClintock is also believed to be interested in the role, according to a GOP source, but he declined to discuss the matter when asked by The Hill. He is sixth in seniority on the panel.

Gosar, who is seventh in seniority, is also expressing interest in the position.

“I am very accomplished with getting stuff done,” Gosar said, pointing to the way he helped turn the Western Caucus from a “sleepy” caucus into a “powerhouse.”

Gosar may be an unlikely contender, however, given a series of controversial tweets that have sparked a bit of a blowback. A GOP source familiar with the matter says Republican leadership has bristled at some of his messages on Twitter.

Several other members who are also senior members also have other reasons for not jockeying for this role.

Rep. Rob Wittman Robert (Rob) Joseph WittmanTrade groups make lobbying push to be included in small business loan program Overnight Defense: 32 dead in ISIS-claimed attack in Kabul | Trump says Taliban could 'possibly' overrun Afghan government when US leaves | House poised for Iran war powers vote next week Republicans eye top spot on Natural Resources panel MORE (R-Va.), who is fifth in seniority, is believed to be more interested in vying for the opening top seat on the House Armed Services Committee now that the panel’s ranking member, Rep. Mac Thornberry William (Mac) McClellan ThornberryTrump payroll-tax deferral for federal workers sparks backlash Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq Top Armed Services Republican 'dismayed' at Trump comments on military leaders MORE (R-Texas), is retiring. And Rep. Paul Cook Paul Joseph CookLawmakers seek extension for tribes to spend stimulus money following Treasury delays The 14 other key races to watch on Super Tuesday Republicans eye top spot on Natural Resources panel MORE (R-Calif.), who is eighth in seniority, is planning to retire after this term.

Bishop, when asked about who is best poised to be his replacement, declined to name a specific individual, but the Utah Republican said each of the four named would bring a unique skill set to the position.

“Lamborn has been a subcommittee chair all over the place so he knows land issues, water issues, energy issues — he is that experienced. McClintock has been one of our go-to [members] for subcommittee chairs. He does his homework, he is always prepared for what he is doing,” Bishop told The Hill in an interview.

“Gosar has the Western Caucus so he knows all those people and the issues at the same time. And Westerman is like our resident forester, who once again has a unique perspective on those issues and has also traveled frequently to other events that we have had,” he added.

The Republican Steering Committee — a conglomeration of top Republicans who select who sits on and leads certain House panels — will decide who will ultimately take on the role. Those members take account of a series of factors including seniority, experience and the preferences of GOP leadership.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyTrump's sharp words put CDC director on hot seat House GOP leader says he trusts Trump over CDC director on vaccine timing The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine, masks MORE (R-Calif.) will have a heavy hand in deciding the next GOP panel leader. His vote counts as four votes, compared to most other members, who receive just one.

In many cases, members can go in and pitch why they are seeking a certain leadership role. The panel then votes on its decisions shortly after the elections.

Prior to that, interested parties will likely begin preparing their visions for how they will lead the committee as well as voicing interest to the deciding parties.

And while such a vote is months away, some Republicans on the panel already are throwing their support behind candidates for the role.

“When you look at the top tier of the committee, I think that [Westerman] is absolutely one of the best choices,” said Rep. Garret Graves Garret Neal GravesOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium The Hill's Coronavirus Report: Rep. Fred Upton says it is 'tragic' to see Americans reject masks, social distancing; Russia claims it will approve COVID-19 vaccine by mid-August Overnight Energy: House passes major conservation bill, sending to Trump | EPA finalizes rule to speed up review of industry permits MORE (R-La.) when asked about potential contenders for the role. “I think he’s got an excellent background. I think he’s articulate and really well-versed in the issues.”