An Iraq war veteran who also served as Rep. Jeff Miller's military adviser is running to replace his former boss when the Florida Republican retires at the end of this year.

James Zumwalt served as an explosive ordnance disposal technician on two tours in Iraq prior to becoming Miller's military legislative assistant. He filed paperwork to officially run for Miller's old seat in Congress in Florida's first district, his campaign announced on Thursday.

"As a combat veteran of the United States Navy and a national security expert with service at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, I cannot stand by as our Constitution is eroded by career politicians more interested in personal gain than the future of our nation. I did not fight for our freedoms in Iraq just to see them voted away back home," Zumwalt said in a statement.

Miller, who served as a top watchdog on Capitol Hill during the Veterans Affairs waitlist crisis, announced last montht that he will not seek re-election.

Florida holds its congressional primary on Aug. 30.