Jeb Bush

Jeb Bush
Born	John Ellis Bush 11 2, 1953
Birthplace	Midland, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	43rd Governor of Florida, 2016 presidential candidate
Education	University of Texas at Austin (BA)
Spouse(s)	Columba Bush
Children	3

John Ellis "Jeb" Bush (born February 11, 1953) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. A member of the Republican Party, Bush was the first two-term Republican governor in Florida's history, winning reelection in 2002 with 56 percent of the vote. Born into one of the most prominent political families in the United States, he is the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush, and the younger brother of former President George W. Bush. During his tenure as governor, Bush pursued an array of policy initiatives spanning education reform, Everglades conservation, Medicaid restructuring, and tax reduction. After leaving office, he remained active in public policy advocacy, particularly on education issues and foreign policy matters. In 2015, Bush entered the race for the Republican nomination for president of the United States, running a well-funded but ultimately unsuccessful campaign. He suspended his candidacy on February 20, 2016, following the South Carolina primary. In the years since, Bush has continued to engage in policy discussions through advocacy organizations and public commentary, including serving as chairman of United Against Nuclear Iran.

Early Life

John Ellis Bush was born on February 11, 1953, in Midland, Texas, the second of six children born to George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Pierce Bush. His childhood nickname, "Jeb," is an acronym derived from his initials (J.E.B.). The family relocated to Houston, Texas, where Bush grew up.

Bush was raised in a family deeply embedded in American political life. His paternal grandfather, Prescott Bush, served as a United States Senator from Connecticut. His father pursued a career that included service as a congressman, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, vice president, and ultimately the 41st President of the United States. His elder brother, George W. Bush, would go on to serve as the 43rd President.

Bush attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, a prestigious boarding school that his father and brother also attended. During his time at Phillips Academy, Bush participated in a student exchange program to León, Guanajuato, Mexico, an experience that proved formative in shaping his personal and political identity. It was during this trip that he met Columba Garnica Gallo, whom he would later marry.

The experience in Mexico had a lasting influence on Bush. He became fluent in Spanish and developed a deep connection to Latin American culture, factors that would later distinguish him among Republican politicians and inform his policy positions on immigration and trade with Latin America.

Education

After graduating from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Bush enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. He studied Latin American affairs, a field of concentration that reflected his growing interest in the region following his formative experience in Mexico. Bush completed his bachelor's degree in just two and a half years, graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the university.

Career

Early Business Career and Move to Florida

After completing his education, Bush initially worked in the banking industry in Texas. In 1980, he moved to Miami, Florida, where he pursued a career in real estate development. Bush became involved in commercial real estate ventures in South Florida during the 1980s, a period of significant growth and development in the Miami area.

His early business dealings in Florida's real estate market established him as a prominent figure in the state's business community. Bush's connections, both through his family name and his own professional network, positioned him for a transition into public service.

Florida Secretary of Commerce

In 1987, Bush received his first government appointment when he was named Florida's Secretary of Commerce under Governor Bob Martinez. He served in this role from January 6, 1987, to September 9, 1988, gaining experience in state government and economic policy. Bush left the position in 1988 to assist in his father's successful presidential campaign.

1994 Gubernatorial Campaign

Bush made his first bid for elected office in 1994, running for governor of Florida. The race pitted him against the Democratic incumbent, Lawton Chiles, a veteran politician known as "Walkin' Lawton" for his cross-state walking campaign in his 1970 U.S. Senate race. The 1994 contest was closely fought, and Bush lost to Chiles by fewer than two percentage points. The narrow defeat established Bush as a significant political figure in Florida and set the stage for his subsequent campaign four years later.

Governor of Florida (1999–2007)

1998 Election

Bush ran for governor again in 1998, facing Democratic nominee Lieutenant Governor Buddy MacKay. This time, Bush won decisively, capturing 55 percent of the vote. Due to the death of Governor Lawton Chiles in office on December 12, 1998—23 days before his term was set to expire—MacKay briefly served as governor before Bush was inaugurated on January 5, 1999. Bush was thus technically the successor to MacKay rather than to Chiles.

Bush's lieutenant governors during his two terms were Frank Brogan, who served during the first term, and Toni Jennings, who served during the second term.

2002 Reelection

In 2002, Bush ran for reelection against Democratic nominee Bill McBride, a Tampa attorney. Bush won with 56 percent of the vote, becoming the first Republican to win a second consecutive term as governor of Florida. This milestone underscored the political transformation of Florida from a traditionally Democratic state at the gubernatorial level to a competitive battleground.

Education Reform

Education policy stood as one of the centerpieces of Bush's gubernatorial agenda. He instituted a series of reforms to Florida's public education system that attracted national attention and generated both support and controversy. Among his signature initiatives was the introduction of school voucher programs, which allowed students in failing public schools to use state funds to attend private schools. Bush was a strong proponent of school choice, a position he has continued to advocate in the years following his governorship.

Bush established the "A+ Plan for Education," a grading system that assigned letter grades to public schools based on student performance on standardized tests. Schools that received failing grades faced consequences, including the possibility that their students could receive vouchers to attend other institutions. Supporters credited the system with incentivizing improvements in underperforming schools, while critics raised concerns about the methodology and the impact on public school funding.

Bush's interest in education policy has continued well beyond his time in office. He founded the Foundation for Excellence in Education (later renamed ExcelinEd), an organization that promotes education reform policies at the state level across the country. In a 2025 opinion article, Bush praised Texas's adoption of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), writing that the program's strength lay "not just in its size, but in its potential to drive" innovation in education. In February 2026, he wrote about a "Southern surge" in education, noting that states facing uphill battles against poverty were seeing notable improvements in student performance.

Tax Policy

Bush pursued an aggressive tax reduction agenda during his time as governor. He claimed to have cut Florida taxes by $19 billion over the course of his two terms, a figure that was examined by PolitiFact. Bush also claimed to have reduced the state government workforce by 13,000 positions during his governorship, a claim that was also subject to fact-checking scrutiny. His approach to fiscal policy emphasized reducing the size and scope of state government, consistent with his broader conservative governing philosophy.

Everglades Conservation

Bush pursued an ambitious plan for the conservation and restoration of the Florida Everglades, one of the most significant environmental initiatives undertaken by a Republican governor in the state's history. The Everglades restoration effort involved collaboration between state and federal agencies and encompassed billions of dollars in planned spending for water management and habitat protection. The effort reflected a pragmatic approach to environmental policy that set Bush apart from some members of his party who were skeptical of large-scale conservation programs.

Healthcare Policy

During his governorship, Bush supported caps on litigation awards in medical malpractice cases, a measure aimed at reducing healthcare costs and attracting physicians to practice in Florida. He also launched a pilot program for the privatization of Medicaid in several Florida counties, making the state one of the first to experiment with managed-care models for the Medicaid population. The Medicaid reform initiative was closely watched by other states and by federal policymakers, as it represented a significant departure from the traditional fee-for-service model.

Terri Schiavo Case

One of the most nationally prominent episodes of Bush's governorship involved his intervention in the case of Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman who had been in a persistent vegetative state since 1990. Bush signed legislation known as "Terri's Law" in 2003, which authorized him to order the reinsertion of Schiavo's feeding tube after it had been removed pursuant to a court order. The law was later struck down as unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court. The case drew intense national media coverage and became a flashpoint in debates over end-of-life care, the role of government in private medical decisions, and the separation of powers.

2016 Presidential Campaign

Bush announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president of the United States on June 15, 2015. He entered the race as one of the early frontrunners, buoyed by strong fundraising, his record as Florida's governor, and the name recognition associated with his family. His campaign adopted the logo "Jeb!" — featuring his first name followed by an exclamation point — a branding decision that became one of the most discussed elements of the campaign cycle. The exclamation point was intended to convey energy and enthusiasm, though it was frequently the subject of commentary and parody.

Despite raising substantial funds—his Right to Rise Super PAC collected over $100 million—Bush struggled to gain traction in a crowded Republican field of 17 candidates. The rise of Donald Trump as a candidate proved particularly challenging for Bush. Trump frequently targeted Bush during debates and on the campaign trail, labeling him "low energy," a characterization that Bush found difficult to shake.

Bush suspended his campaign on February 20, 2016, following a disappointing performance in the South Carolina primary. He finished sixth among the 17 Republican contestants in both delegate count and popular vote. On March 23, 2016, Bush endorsed Senator Ted Cruz of Texas for the Republican nomination. Bush was critical of Trump during the 2016 general election campaign and continued to express criticism during Trump's time in office.

Post-Campaign Activities

Following his departure from the 2016 presidential race, Bush returned to the private sector while maintaining an active role in public policy advocacy. He continued to champion education reform through ExcelinEd and spoke publicly on a range of domestic and international policy issues.

Bush serves as chairman of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), an advocacy organization focused on opposing Iran's nuclear program and broader regional policies. In January 2026, he referred to Iran's theocratic government as "a dying regime." In June 2025, Bush praised United States military strikes against Iran as a "watershed moment," drawing thanks from President Trump. The exchange illustrated a complex dynamic between Bush and Trump, who had been fierce rivals during the 2016 primary campaign.

Bush has also remained connected to his family's political activities. In August 2025, he and his brother George W. Bush held a fundraiser in Kennebunkport, Maine, for their cousin Jonathan Bush, who was exploring a run for governor of Maine.

Personal Life

Bush met Columba Garnica Gallo during a student exchange trip to León, Guanajuato, Mexico, while he was a student at Phillips Academy. The couple married, and Columba Bush became a naturalized United States citizen. Together they have three children, including George P. Bush, who has pursued a political career of his own in Texas.

Bush is fluent in Spanish and has frequently spoken the language in public settings, including during his gubernatorial campaigns, his presidential campaign, and at various policy events. His bilingualism and his marriage to a Mexican-born woman have been noted as distinguishing features of his public identity within the Republican Party, particularly in the context of the party's evolving relationship with Latino voters and immigration policy.

Bush is a convert to Roman Catholicism, having joined the faith in 1995. He has described his conversion as influenced by his wife's Catholic faith and his own spiritual journey.

The Bush family remains one of the most prominent political dynasties in American history. With two presidents, a senator, and multiple governors among its members, the family's influence on American political life spans several generations.

Recognition

Bush's record as governor of Florida drew attention from policymakers and commentators across the political spectrum. He was recognized as an early leader among Republican governors for his education reform initiatives, which influenced policy debates in other states. The Federalist Society has recognized Bush as a notable figure in conservative legal and policy circles.

His advocacy for school choice and education accountability has been a consistent theme of his post-gubernatorial career. Through ExcelinEd, the organization he founded, Bush has been credited with influencing education reform legislation in multiple states. His writings on education policy have appeared in national publications, including the Chicago Tribune and The 74.

Bush's Everglades restoration initiative has been cited by environmental analysts as one of the more significant conservation efforts undertaken by a Republican governor, though the long-term outcomes of the program remain a subject of ongoing evaluation.

His 2016 presidential campaign, while unsuccessful, attracted significant attention for its fundraising prowess and for the dynamics of the primary contest, particularly the rivalry with Donald Trump. The "Jeb!" logo has since been studied as a notable case in political branding.

Legacy

Bush's legacy is shaped by his tenure as governor of Florida, his role in the broader Bush family political dynasty, and his continued engagement in public policy debates. As the first two-term Republican governor of Florida, he helped cement the Republican Party's competitiveness in a state that had been historically dominated by Democrats at the gubernatorial level.

His education reforms, including school vouchers, the A+ Plan grading system, and his promotion of school choice, have had a lasting influence on the national education reform debate. Bush's advocacy for these policies through ExcelinEd has extended his impact well beyond Florida, as multiple states have adopted or considered similar approaches. His championing of Education Savings Accounts in states like Texas reflects his continued engagement with the evolving landscape of education policy.

The Everglades conservation plan that Bush championed represented a substantial commitment of resources to environmental restoration in Florida, and the initiative has continued to influence water management and habitat protection efforts in the state.

Bush's 2016 presidential campaign, though it did not achieve its intended outcome, has been analyzed as a case study in the shifting dynamics of Republican primary politics. His difficulties in the face of Trump's candidacy illustrated broader changes within the Republican Party regarding the role of established political families, the influence of populist rhetoric, and the diminishing returns of large-scale fundraising in the era of social media-driven campaigns.

In foreign policy, Bush's chairmanship of United Against Nuclear Iran and his public statements on Iran policy have positioned him as a voice within the Republican foreign policy establishment advocating for a firm stance toward the Iranian government.

Bush remains a figure whose career reflects both the opportunities and constraints of being part of an American political dynasty. His record in Florida, his policy advocacy, and his continued public engagement ensure his place as a significant figure in early 21st-century American political life.