Another George Bush Considers a Run in Texas
Political observers, take note of this name: George Prescott Bush. The son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and nephew of former President George W. Bush filed paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission to run for office, and is apparently considering a run for land commissioner in the Lone Star State.
Bush's filings did not specify the office that interests him, but his father today sent an email to his own supporters asking for donations to George P's exploratory account. In the email, Jeb specified that his son was eyeing the job of land commissioner in 2014.
"Last week, George P. opened a campaign account to explore the opportunity to run for statewide office in Texas," Jeb wrote in the email, which was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times. "I am writing to ask that you consider making a personal contribution as he begins his quest for public service.
"While the election is in 2014, it is important to show early financial support, particularly in a state as big as Texas. The office that George is considering running for is Land Commissioner which oversees the mineral rights, commercial real estate owned and sovereign submerged lands of the State of Texas as well as veterans affairs and historic archives."
The position carries prestige and tradition in the state of the Texas. Indeed, the Office of Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office is the oldest, continuous elected position in the state's history. It predates the position of governor, according to the office's website.
And the position can serve as a launching pad in the state: The current lieutenant governor, David Dewhurst, served as land commissioner before moving to his current job.
Bush, 36, is an attractive up and comer for Republicans, and GOP officials in Texas (and nationally) have been hoping the young Bush would seek political office for some time. Bush is the full package, so to speak: young, smart, he has military experience, having served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, he's descended from a political dynasty, and he's half Latino. His mother, Columba, is Mexican-born.
He is a graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas Law School.
The election would be Bush's first run for public office, but the national political world is very familiar to Bush. He got his first exposure at age 12, when he recited the pledge of allegiance to the crowd at the 1988 Republican National Convention in New Orleans, where his grandfather was officially nominated for the top of the Republican presidential ticket.
And he has stayed involved in politics as an adult; in 2012, he co-founded Maverick PAC, a super PAC that supports Republican candidates for House and Senate.
The election is not until 2014, so voters in Texas will have plenty of time to get acquainted with the newest political figure from the well-established Bush family who runs a business-consulting firm in Fort Worth.