PORTLAND (AP) – Democratic Rep. Michael Michaud of Maine has lost his bid for chairmanship of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

The Democratic Steering Committee voted 24-20 Thursday in favor of Rep. Bob Filner of California, the longest-serving Democrat on the committee.

Michaud could ask for a vote of the entire Democratic caucus since he received more than 14 votes. It remains to be seen whether he’ll do that.

Michaud said the two men share a similar agenda of improving health care for veterans but Michaud said there’s a contrast in style. He said he’s willing to reach out to Republicans but he said Filner tends to be more fiercely partisan.

“The style is dramatically different,” Michaud said. “I’m more of one who is going to reach across the aisle to find solutions to a lot of problems.”

Michaud is reviewing his options before deciding whether to ask for a full vote of the caucus, said his spokeswoman, Monica Castellanos.

The committee’s top Democrat, Illinois Rep. Lane Evans, who’s retiring because of illness, endorsed Michaud in a letter to incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Evans said Michaud focused a harsh and telling light on shortcomings in funding for medical facilities, counseling centers and assistance for the homeless.

Maine, with a population of 1.3 million, is home to more than 150,000 veterans. Lawmakers often hear from veterans who have trouble getting access to adequate health care and complain of long waiting lists and long drives to the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Togus.

Michaud, a former mill worker and state lawmaker, acknowledged the difficulty in trying to leapfrog over four more senior members of the committee for the chairmanship. “It’s an uphill battle,” he said. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

AP-ES-12-08-06 0927EST