The Bush family political dynasty continues, at least in Texas. George P. Bush, the nephew of former President George W. Bush and grandson of former President George H.W. Bush, has announced his intention to run for Texas land commissioner in 2014.
While the position may not be prominent, it is powerful, and it is a statewide elected office, the first for the younger Bush, who currently serves as the deputy finance chairman for the Texas Republican Party.
In January, a campaign finance report filed by Bush said he had received about $1.3 million from donors to fund his campaign, which he is likely to win, as no Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994.
George P. Bush is a rising star in the Republican Party. He is a rare Hispanic conservative, the son of a Mexican mother and former Florida governor and 2016 presidential hopeful Jeb Bush, the brother of George W.
Many in the party, and in the Bush family, hope that George P. can resonate with Latinos, first in Texas and then nationwide, a demographic that leans heavily Democratic. In last year's election, 71 percent of Latinos nationwide voted to reelect President Obama.
Soul searching by the Republicans since then has caused many of them to moderate their tone on immigration reform. But Jeb Bush recently caused a stir with the release of his new book, which warned that providing a path to citizenship for many of the 1 million undocumented immigrants in the country would reward illegal behavior and encourage more immigration.
While that may hurt Jeb Bush's chances at the 2016 nomination, it is unlikely to affect George P.'s shot at land commissioner, a position that oversees state-owned natural resources and development rights -- big news in a mining and drilling hub like Texas.
In the past the post has also been a springboard to higher office. Is another Bush headed for the governor's mansion in Austin?
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
