Ex-Secret Service agent Daniel Bongino jumps into Maryland Senate race against Cardin

A former Secret Service agent who has provided protection for President Obama has decided to make a bid for Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin's job.

Daniel Bongino, who resigned from the agency last month, plans to seek the Republican nomination to challenge the freshman Democrat.

The Secret Service traditionally does not look favorably upon former agents who jump into politics and has fought to make sure agents who protect the president are not compelled to testify on conversations they might have overheard to maintain trust, National Journal reports.

Bongino's campaign biography says he worked as an agent for a dozen years after serving in the New York City Police Department.

Bongino "believes in real answers and straight talk and plans to challenge the political establishment directly on the important issues of the day," according to his campaign website.

Former Republican candidate for Maryland Governor Brian Murphy is Bongino's campaign chairman.