U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, says he has joined the race to be chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. At least three other Republicans have announced their interest in succeeding Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., who announced he will retire at the end of his term this year; you can read a full report here from Idaho Statesman reporter Rocky Barker.

Simpson, who is serving his 10th term in Congress, has long desired to chair the committee that controls the purse strings of the federal government, Barker writes. But two of the announced candidates, Reps. Robert Aderholt of Alabama and Kay Granger of Texas, have more seniority than Simpson. And if Democrats capture enough seats in the 2018 election, Republicans could lose control of the House and control of the committees.

“I think the odds are long,” Simpson said Thursday in a telephone interview from White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., where congressional Republicans are holding a retreat to talk about legislative and campaign strategy. Simpson said holding on to control of the House is the top priority.