Jeb Bush has the pedigree of a president, and it’s looking more and more as though the former governor of Florida will follow in the footsteps of his father and brother and make a run at the White House for 2016.
Here are eight facts about Bush’s political background.
1. While Bush’s grandfather was a senator, his first real taste of politics was helping his dad, George H. W. Bush, campaign for the vice presidency in 1980. While his father is generally remembered fondly, his brother George W. Bush is divisive, with speculation about how those legacies might impact Jeb Bush’s chances come 2016.
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2. While working in real estate, Bush got involved in lobbying and became chairman of the Dade County Republican Party. In 1986, Gov. Bob Martinez appointed Bush as Florida’s secretary of commerce. He stepped down in 1988
to work on his dad’s presidential campaign, but left with both camps generally praising his work.
3. Bush narrowly lost during his first run for governor in 1994. He ran again in 1998 and won, then was re-elected in 2002. While in office, Bush helped cut taxes and shrink the state government. He sparked Medicaid reform and signed a law to restore the Everglades, leaving office in 2007 with generally favorable ratings.
4. Just weeks after taking his seat,
Bush killed plans to build a $6.3 billion bullet train between Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. Though Florida had already spent tens of millions of dollars developing the project, Bush said the plan was too risky.
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5. As governor, Bush spearheaded education reforms since studied by other states. He developed a straightforward school rating system and increased options for families by offering tax credits, charter schools, and virtual education. Bush also supports Common Core, however,
a set of national standards that have bitterly divided leaders.
6. Bush also sparks controversy in his party with his views on immigration.
In an April 2014 interview on Fox News, the Catholic father of three stated entering the country illegally is an “act of love” for some. His push for immigration reform, along with the fact that he’s fluent in Spanish and married to a Mexican-American, have generally made Bush a popular candidate with Hispanic voters.
7. Bush has been critical of the current political environment.
He argued during a 2012 Bloomberg View event that the GOP has become so stuck on far-right ideology and partisanship that popular figures such as Ronald Reagan and his father couldn’t have succeeded.
8. On Dec. 16,
Bush announced via Facebook that he’s “exploring the possibility” of running for president in 2016. Though his positions on immigration and education may turn Tea Partiers off, some pundits predict he’ll prove an attractive candidate thanks to his ability to appeal to moderates.
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