TAMPA, Fla. -- Congressman Dennis Ross (R-FL), who is wrapping up his final term in the U.S. House of Representatives, had some reflections on his time in the nation's capitol when we spoke to him this week.

  • Ross among 40 other Republicans not seeking re-election
  • 5 Republicans in race seeking Ross's seat
  • Primary election August 28

"It’s tough. It will wear on you," Ross said. "The travel. The fact that people will promise you one thing and nothing will happen."

The four-term congressman joins more than 40 House Republicans who are heading for the exits, including three Florida members.

Now, he wants his eventual successor to know what the job entails and the challenges that come with it, including having a working relationship with the Commander-in-Chief. 

"This is is a frustrating process and you’ve got to know that going into it," Ross explained. "It's almost who’s the last one to talk to him is the one that gets his nod. It’s been difficult to deal with."

Ross currently represents District 15, which covers Polk County, northern parts of Hillsborough County and Lake County.

This was a district President Trump won by 10 points, and now five Republicans are vying for this seat: former State Representative Neil Combee, Sean Harper, Danny Kushmer, Ed Shoemaker and State Rep. Ross Spano.

"It’s definitely a crowded field," said Chris Ingram, a Republican political analyst. "Of course, when Congressman Ross announced he wasn’t going to run for re-election, it surprised everyone."

While Ross has said he will not endorse a candidate in this primary, Senator Marco Rubio just endorsed Ross Spano. With so many candidates on the ballot, Ingram says Rubio's endorsement could make a difference.

"They help in the sense that it helps raise his profile," Ingram explained. "It’s definitely a big win to get Spano those endorsements -- whether or not that translates to victory, that remains to be seen."  

As for what's next, Ross said he'd like to teach the next generation of political science students. For now, though, he told us he has one message for his future replacement. 

"The first thing you have to do is take care of the people that sent you," Ross said. 

The statewide primary election is on August 28. Florida is a closed primary state, meaning that only Republicans and Democrats can cast ballots.