After handily defeating challengers for his District 26 House seat on Election Day, U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, has his sights set on the chairmanship of the House Republican Policy Committee.

Michael Burgess

U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter, R-Mich., currently holds the position.

“Our Republican ship needs righting, and the House Republican Policy Committee can help chart a fresh course,” Burgess said in a statement released Wednesday. “I’m asking for members’ support to help the House GOP leadership create this new road map.”

Burgess noted that the Republican Party has taken significant losses in the House during the last two election cycles.

“When you’re in a political body like the House, it means the power you have is diminished,” Burgess said Thursday in an interview. “In efforts to get that back, we have to make sure we are serving the needs of our members.”

The policy committee gives Republicans a way to be sure that their ideas and alternatives to Democrat strategies are presented and easy to understand.

Dianne Edmondson, chairwoman of the Denton County Republican Party, said Burgess would bring a good perspective to the position.

“He’s absolutely fit for it — a proven solid conservative,” she said.

Burgess has a staunch supporter in U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall, dean of the House.

“He’s a very knowledgeable member of Congress,” Hall said. “I am sure go­ing to be for him.”

The congressman praised Burgess on being successful at anything and everything he has been appointed to in the House.

“And as [policy committee chairman], he’d represent the entire Re­publican caucus. It’s a very important position, and he’d be good at it,” Hall said.

Burgess acknowledged that the committee position is an elected one and the fact that he will have to make his case for it.

“I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t think my chances were good,” he said. “It’s not without some risk and clearly the outcome is not assured, but I think it’s the right thing to do.”

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com .