Republican Brian Mast won the powerful House GOP steering committee’s backing to chair the Foreign Affairs Committee next Congress. He edged out a crowded field of contenders - including Reps. Darrell Issa, Joe Wilson and Rep. Ann Wagner - to lock down the gavel.

Mast was viewed as a dark horse candidate heading into Monday, but several sources in the room said he impressed steering members with his presentation. He will replace Chairman Michael McCaul, who is term limited out of the position.

The Florida Republican - a veteran and a staunch Trump ally - currently serves as the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight.

He has aligned more closely with Trump’s position on Ukraine aid than Wagner and Wilson.

Mast will take stewardship of the panel at a turbulent time for the U.S.: Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and the collapse the Assad regime in Syria have destabilized the Middle East, Russia’s war in Ukraine is set to enter its fourth year and concerns are mounting about China’s influence over Asia-Pacific allies. He’ll still need to be ratified by the full conference, which is highly unlikely to go against steering’s recommendations.