Hours after U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler beat veteran Rep. Carolyn Maloney in a New York primary, Congressman Stephen Lynch of South Boston announced he will try to succeed Maloney in 2023 as the "lead Democrat" on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

With Democrats in control of the U.S. House, Maloney currently chairs the committee but Republicans are hoping they will have a majority in the House, and control of its committees, after this year's elections. Lynch, 67, who chairs the House Subcommittee on National Security, announced his candidacy in a letter to colleagues that his office released to the press Wednesday.

Noting he is serving his 22nd year in Congress, Lynch said that he was the most senior member of the committee seeking the position and had pursued investigations under Democratic chairs Maloney, Rep. Henry Waxman, and the late Rep. Elijah Cummings, who he said "have all stood as steadfast, principled, and fearless champions for truth on behalf of our caucus and the American people."

"I am deeply committed to building upon this legacy and keeping faith with our shared mission to maintain transparency in government in service to our Nation," he said.

Lynch said he is currently leading active oversight investigations related to "Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, emerging worldwide terrorist threats, U.S. election security, U.S. preparedness for pandemics and biological attacks, and challenges facing America's veterans."

"In the midst of the recent attacks on our democracy and against the Congress itself, the role of the Oversight Committee is more important than ever," Lynch wrote in his letter. "I believe I am well prepared to serve at this pivotal moment in our history when it is clear that some Republican members have actively chosen to disregard the truth and their sworn oaths of office in favor of political gamesmanship, divisive rhetoric, and disinformation regarding the 2020 election, the January 6th insurrection, misconduct by former President Trump, and other issues of critical concern to the American people."