View source for Jeb Bush

{{Short description|American politician and businessman (born 1953)}}
{{Distinguish|John E. Bush (Mosaic Templars of America)}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{lead extra info|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jeb Bush
| image = File:Jeb Bush by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
| caption = Bush in 2015
| order1 = 43rd [[Governor of Florida]]
| lieutenant1 = [[Frank Brogan]]<br/>[[Toni Jennings]]
| term_start1 = January 5, 1999
| term_end1 = January 2, 2007
| predecessor1 = [[Buddy MacKay]]
| successor1 = [[Charlie Crist]]
| office2 = Secretary of the [[Florida Department of Commerce]]
| governor2 = [[Bob Martinez]]
| term_start2 = January 6, 1987
| term_end2 = September 9, 1988
| predecessor2 = [[Wayne Mixson]]
| successor2 = Bill Sutton
| birth_name = John Ellis Bush
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|2|11}}
| birth_place = [[Midland, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Columba Bush|Columba Gallo]]|February 23, 1974}}
| children = 3, including [[George P. Bush|George]]
| parents = {{plain list|
*[[George H. W. Bush]]
*[[Barbara Bush]]}}
| relatives = [[Bush family]]
| education = [[University of Texas, Austin]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| signature = Jeb Bush Signature.svg
}}
{{Jeb Bush series}}
'''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. He was the second son of former president [[George H. W. Bush]] and former [[First Lady of the United States|first lady]] [[Barbara Bush]], and a younger brother of former president [[George W. Bush]]. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], he was an unsuccessful candidate for [[president of the United States]] in the [[2016 Republican primaries]].

Bush was born in [[Midland, Texas]], and grew up in [[Houston]]. He graduated from [[Phillips Academy]] in [[Andover, Massachusetts]], and attended the [[University of Texas|University of Texas at Austin]], where he earned a degree in Latin American affairs. In 1980, he moved to Florida and pursued a career in [[real estate development]]. In 1987, Bush became Florida's [[Florida Secretary of Commerce|secretary of commerce]], serving this role until 1988, when he joined [[George H. W. Bush 1988 presidential campaign|his father's]] [[1988 United States presidential election|successful campaign]] for the presidency.

In [[1994 Florida gubernatorial election|1994]], Bush made his first run for office, losing the election for governor by less than two percentage points to the incumbent [[Lawton Chiles]]. Bush ran again in [[1998 Florida gubernatorial election|1998]] and defeated lieutenant governor [[Buddy MacKay]] with 55 percent of the vote. He ended up succeeding MacKay after Chiles died in office 23 days shy of his retirement. He ran for reelection in [[2002 Florida gubernatorial election|2002]], defeating [[Bill McBride (politician)|Bill McBride]] and winning with 56 percent, to become Florida's first two-term Republican governor. During his eight years as governor, Bush pushed an ambitious [[Everglades conservation]] plan, supported [[Non-economic damages caps|caps]] for [[medical malpractice]] litigation, launched a [[Medicaid]] [[privatization]] pilot program, and instituted reforms to the state education system, including the issuance of vouchers and promoting [[school choice]].

Bush announced [[Jeb Bush presidential campaign, 2016|his presidential candidacy]] on June 15, 2015. He suspended his campaign on February 20, 2016, shortly after the [[2016 South Carolina Republican primary|South Carolina primary]], and finished sixth out of 17 contesters by both delegates number and popular vote. He endorsed Senator [[Ted Cruz]] on March 23, 2016 and was critical of [[Donald Trump]] during the 2016 campaign, remaining so during Trump's presidencies.

==Early life==
[[File:Entire Bush family.jpg|thumb|left|Bush (front right) with family, early 1960s]]
Bush was born on February 11, 1953, in [[Midland, Texas]]. When he was six years old, the family relocated to the [[Tanglewood, Houston|Tanglewood]] neighborhood<ref name="RMcCrimTXTrib03172015">{{cite news|last=McCrimmon|first=Ryan|date=March 17, 2015|title=In Texas, a Focused Jeb Bush Stood Out From the Crowd|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/jeb-bush-texas-years/|newspaper=[[Texas Tribune]]|location=[[Austin, Texas]]|access-date=May 24, 2015|archive-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405082002/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/jeb-bush-texas-years/|url-status=live}}</ref> of [[Houston]], [[Texas]].<ref name="NGA">{{cite web|title=Florida Governor Jeb Bush|url=http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_florida/col2-content/main-content-list/title_bush_jeb.html|publisher=National Governors Association|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-date=May 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505080852/http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_florida/col2-content/main-content-list/title_bush_jeb.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The nickname "Jeb" is composed of his initials J.E.B. (John Ellis Bush).<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeb Bush's Pros and Cons|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-weigant/jeb-bushs-pros-and-cons_b_6330710.html|website=The Huffington Post|date=December 16, 2014|access-date=June 14, 2015|archive-date=June 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617171833/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-weigant/jeb-bushs-pros-and-cons_b_6330710.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
He grew up with two younger brothers, [[Neil Bush|Neil]] and [[Marvin Bush|Marvin]], one younger sister, [[Dorothy Bush Koch|Dorothy]], one older brother, [[George W. Bush|George]], who is seven years older, and, for the first eight months of his life, an older sister, [[Pauline Robinson Bush|Robin]]. Jeb Bush initially attended Grady Elementary School in Houston.<ref>"[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F640A5D0899F681&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Long-held values shape Public Life of Jeb Bush] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511140516/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F640A5D0899F681&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|date=May 11, 2013}}." ''[[The Miami Herald]]''. September 22, 2002. Retrieved on October 15, 2012. "Bush attended public Grady Elementary School in Houston for several years[...]"</ref> Following in the footsteps of his father and older brother George, at the age of 14 years in late 1967,<ref name="RMcCrimTXTrib03172015"/> Bush began attending high school at the [[Andover, Massachusetts]] boarding school [[Phillips Academy]], Andover.<ref name="boston050314">{{cite web|title=Jeb Bush gives Andover kids Republic insight|url=https://www.boston.com/names/2012/10/03/jeb-bush-gives-andover-kids-republic-insight/Au73DySj6enp0gbU4F68oL/story.html|publisher=Boston.com|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-date=May 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505075957/http://www.boston.com/names/2012/10/03/jeb-bush-gives-andover-kids-republic-insight/Au73DySj6enp0gbU4F68oL/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Bush completed ninth grade in Houston, but was advised to repeat it at Andover, and was nearly expelled due to poor grades.<ref name="MKranish">{{cite news|last1=Kranish|first1=Michael|title=Jeb Bush shaped by troubled Phillips Academy years|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2015/02/01/tumultuous-four-years-phillips-academy-helped-shape-jeb-bush/q6ccyHNOtP1n6kqDokMBfK/story.html?rss_id=Top-GNP&google_editors_picks=true|access-date=January 31, 2015|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=February 1, 2015|archive-date=February 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203011930/http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2015/02/01/tumultuous-four-years-phillips-academy-helped-shape-jeb-bush/q6ccyHNOtP1n6kqDokMBfK/story.html?rss_id=Top-GNP&google_editors_picks=true|url-status=live}}</ref> Bush recreationally used [[marijuana]], [[hashish]], and cigarettes during his high school years, although he made the [[Honors student|honor roll]] by the end of his senior year and served as captain of the tennis team.<ref name="MKranish"/>

At the age of 17, Bush taught English as a second language and assisted in the building of a school in Ibarrilla, a small village outside of [[León, Guanajuato]], [[Mexico]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Kruse|first=Michael|date=May 21, 2015|title=Andover, Mexico and the Making of Jeb Bush|url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/gallery/2015/05/andover-mexico-and-the-making-of-jeb-bush/002218-031750.html#.VWHF1U_BzGc|newspaper=Politico|location=Washington, DC|access-date=May 25, 2015|quote=Before the Andover boys and teacher John J. Patrick helped build the two-room schoolhouse in Ibarrilla, outside of León, in their two-month trip in 1971, the village had no school at all—only a local woman who volunteered to teach the children who were interested in learning rudimentary reading and math skills.|archive-date=May 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154859/http://www.politico.com/magazine/gallery/2015/05/andover-mexico-and-the-making-of-jeb-bush/002218-031750.html#.VWHF1U_BzGc|url-status=dead}}</ref> as part of Andover's student exchange summer program.<ref name="CastroOcalaStar99">{{cite news|last=Guevara-Castro|first=Lillian|date=May 5, 1999|title=Florida's First Lady: Columba Bush settles into life in the governor's mansion|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19990505&id=CEAxAAAAIBAJ&pg=6802,1531897&hl=en|newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner|location=[[Ocala, Florida]]|access-date=March 22, 2015|quote=Columba Garnica Gallo was 16 and John Ellis "Jeb" Bush was 17 when they met in the central Mexican town of León. Jeb was teaching English and helping to build a school as an exchange student from Phillips Academy, a prestigious prep school in Andover, Mass.|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028135203/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19990505&id=CEAxAAAAIBAJ&pg=6802%2C1531897&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> While in Mexico, he met his future wife, [[Columba Bush|Columba Garnica Gallo]].<ref name="CastroOcalaStar99"/><ref name="style">{{cite news|title=Hispanic consciousness lends weight to Jeb Bush as GOP eyes 2016 presidential race|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/hispanic-consciousness-lends-weight-to-jeb-bush-as-gop-eyes-2016-presidential-race/2013/04/24/ed830402-aa9a-11e2-b6fd-ba6f5f26d70e_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 24, 2013|access-date=February 9, 2015|archive-date=January 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126041606/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/hispanic-consciousness-lends-weight-to-jeb-bush-as-gop-eyes-2016-presidential-race/2013/04/24/ed830402-aa9a-11e2-b6fd-ba6f5f26d70e_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bush, who had largely avoided criticizing or supporting the [[Vietnam War]], registered for the [[Conscription in the United States|draft]] after his graduation from high school in 1971.<ref name="MKranish"/> In the fourth and final draft lottery drawing, on February 2, 1972, for men born in 1953 and to be inducted during 1973, Bush received a draft number of 26 on a calendar-based scale that went to 365. But no new draft orders were issued after 1972,<ref>{{cite web|title=Results from Lottery Drawing – Vietnam Era – 1973|url=http://www.sss.gov/lotter4.htm|access-date=July 21, 2015|publisher=Selective Service System|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210195612/http://www.sss.gov/lotter4.htm|archive-date=February 10, 2015}}</ref> because the U.S. changed to an all-volunteer military beginning in 1973.<ref>Janowitz, Morris and Charles C. Moskos, Jr. "Five Years of the All-Volunteer Force: 1973–1978. ''Armed Forces & Society'', Jan 1979; vol. 5: pp. 171–218 {{Cite journal|url=http://afs.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/5/2/171|title=Five Years of the All-Volunteer Force: 1973-1978|journal=Armed Forces & Society |date=January 1979 |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=171–218 |doi=10.1177/0095327X7900500201 |access-date=July 21, 2015|archive-date=March 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312015216/http://afs.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/5/2/171|url-status=bot: unknown |last1=Janowitz |first1=Morris |last2=Moskos |first2=Charles C. |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Though many in his family had attended [[Yale University]], Bush chose to attend the [[University of Texas at Austin]], beginning in September 1971.<ref name="RMcCrimTXTrib03172015"/> He played on the [[Texas Longhorns]] varsity tennis team in 1973.<ref name="RMcCrimTXTrib03172015"/> Bush graduated [[Phi Beta Kappa]] and ''[[magna cum laude]]'' with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in [[Latin American studies]].<ref name="RMcCrimTXTrib03172015"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/us/politics/jeb-bush-gives-party-something-to-think-about.html|title=Jeb Bush Gives Party Something to Think About|date=May 25, 2014|website=The New York Times|access-date=February 17, 2017|archive-date=July 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709074747/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/25/us/politics/jeb-bush-gives-party-something-to-think-about.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He completed his coursework in two and a half years.<ref>Kelley, Kitty.  ''[[The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty]]'', p. 404 (Doubleday, 2004).</ref>

==Early career==
In 1974, Bush went to work in an entry-level position in the international division of [[Texas Commerce Bank]], which was founded by the family of [[James Baker]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Jeb Bush followed the family game plan: Earn your fortune, then run for public office. A vast network of deals made it possible|url=http://www.sptimes.com/State/92098/Make_The_Money_and_Ru.html|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725062619/http://www.sptimes.com/State/92098/Make_The_Money_and_Ru.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 1977, he was sent to [[Caracas]], the capital of [[Venezuela]], to open a new operation for the bank, where he served as branch manager and vice president.<ref>{{cite news|author=Manuel-Roig Franzia|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/hispanic-consciousness-lends-weight-to-jeb-bush-as-gop-eyes-2016-presidential-race/2013/04/24/ed830402-aa9a-11e2-b6fd-ba6f5f26d70e_story.html|title=Hispanic consciousness lends weight to Jeb Bush|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 24, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901063759/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/hispanic-consciousness-lends-weight-to-jeb-bush-as-gop-eyes-2016-presidential-race/2013/04/24/ed830402-aa9a-11e2-b6fd-ba6f5f26d70e_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the 1980 presidential election, Bush and his family moved to [[Miami-Dade County, Florida]]. He took a job in real estate with [[Armando Codina]], a 32-year-old [[Cuba]]n immigrant and self-made millionaire. Codina had made a fortune in a computer business, and then formed a new company, The Codina Group, to pursue opportunities in [[real estate]].<ref>Zweigenhaft, Richard and Domhoff, G. William.  ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=MQ1tAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA149 Diversity in the Power Elite: How it Happened, Why it Matters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124025129/https://books.google.com/books?id=MQ1tAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA149|date=November 24, 2015}}'', p. 149 (Rowman & Littlefield 2006).</ref> During his time with the company, Bush focused on finding tenants for commercial developments.<ref name=AMacGillis>{{cite magazine|last1=MacGillis|first1=Alec|title=Testing Time: Jeb Bush's Educational Experiment|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/01/26/testing-time|access-date=February 1, 2015|magazine=New Yorker|date=January 26, 2015|archive-date=January 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131202405/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/01/26/testing-time|url-status=live}}</ref> Codina eventually made Bush his partner in a new development business, which quickly became one of South Florida's leading real estate development firms. As a partner, Bush received 40% of the firm's profits.<ref name=Swasy>Swasy, Alecia and Trigaux, Robert. [http://www.sptimes.com/State/92098/Make_The_Money_and_Ru.html "Make the Money and Run"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725062619/http://www.sptimes.com/State/92098/Make_The_Money_and_Ru.html|date=July 25, 2014}}, ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]'' (September 20, 1998).</ref> In 1983, Bush said of his move from Houston to Miami: "On the personal side, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law were already living here." On the professional side, "I want to be very wealthy, and I'll be glad to tell you when I've accomplished that goal."<ref>Morley, Jefferson.  [http://www.miaminewtimes.com/1991-02-27/news/dirty-money/2/ "Dirty Money"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427012031/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/1991-02-27/news/dirty-money/2/|date=April 27, 2014}}, ''[[Miami New Times]]'' (February 27, 1991).</ref>

During Bush's years in Miami, he was involved in many different [[entrepreneur]]ial pursuits, including working for a mobile phone company, serving on the board of a [[Norway|Norwegian]]-owned company that sold fire equipment to the [[Trans-Alaska Pipeline System]], becoming a minority owner of the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]], buying a shoe company that sold footwear in [[Panama]], and getting involved in a project selling water pumps in [[Nigeria]].<ref name=Campbell/>

Bush was a [[lobbying|lobbyist]]  for Miguel Recarey, who ran International Medical Centres (IMC), a Florida-based [[health maintenance organization]] (HMO). Recarey "employed" Bush as a real estate consultant and paid him a {{USD}}75,000 fee for finding the company a new location, although the move never took place. Bush did, however, lobby the [[Reagan administration]] vigorously and successfully on behalf of Recarey and IMC to waive a rule of Medicare enrollee proportion.<ref name=Campbell/><ref name="tb">{{Cite web |last=Washington Post |date=2015-03-15 |title=Jeb Bush's tie to fugitive Miguel Recarey goes against business-savvy image he promotes |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/jeb-bushs-tie-to-fugitive-miguel-recarey-goes-against-business-savvy-image/2221816/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref> Recarey received US$781 million in Medicare payments for 197 000 enrollees but did not pay doctors and hospitals for their care.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1987-12-15 |title=Alleged misconduct by international medical centers: statement of David C Williams, Director Office of Special Investigations. |url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/t-osi-88-1.pdf |website=GAO}}</ref> As of 2015 Recarey was a fugitive living in Spain.<ref name="tb" /> The IMC fraud was one of the largest in Medicare history.<ref>{{Cite news |last=  Ryan Grim |date=2015-02-20 |title=When Dad Was VP, Jeb Bush Lobbied The Administration For A Medicare Fraudster |language=en |work=Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jeb-bush-miguel-recarey_n_6707156 |access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref>

==Early political career==
[[File:Reagan Contact Sheet C36276 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Bush greeting President [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1986]]
[[File:Jeb Bush as Florida Secretary of Commerce.jpg|thumb|upright|Bush as Florida Secretary of Commerce]]

Bush volunteered for his father's campaigns in [[1980 United States presidential election|1980]] and [[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]. During the 1980 campaign, Bush worked as an unpaid volunteer, and expressed great admiration for his father.<ref name=kpendergast>{{cite news|author=Kyle Pendergast|url=http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2008/11/where-are-they-now-jeb-bush/|title=Where are they now? Jeb Bush|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=November 19, 2008|access-date=December 16, 2014|archive-date=July 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722082009/http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2008/11/where-are-they-now-jeb-bush/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1984,<ref name="team1987">{{cite web |last1=Traylor |first1=Susan |title=Most of Governor's Team Went To Bat For Him Before |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/214780854 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |publisher=News-Press |access-date=December 17, 2025 |location=Fort Meyers, Florida |page=21A |date=January 4, 1987}}</ref> Bush got his start in Florida politics by becoming the chairman of the Dade County Republican Party.<ref name="RMcCrimTXTrib03172015"/><ref name=kpendergast/><ref name=Date>Date, S.V. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=vUWJ1luD57cC&pg=PT223 Jeb] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208061906/https://books.google.com/books?id=vUWJ1luD57cC&pg=PT223|date=February 8, 2016}}'', p. 223 (Penguin, 2007).</ref> Dade County played an important role in the [[1986 Florida gubernatorial election|1986 election]] of [[Bob Martinez]] to the governor's office.<ref name=Date/> Despite statewide Republican leaders urging Bush and other county party officials to stay neutral in the Republican primary, Bush [[Political endorsement|endorsed]] Martinez ahead of the [[Two-round system|runoff]] of the primary.<ref name="team1987"/> In appreciation of Bush's support during his campaign, Martinez appointed him as Florida's Secretary of Commerce.<ref name=Date/> Bush served in that role from 1987 to 1988, before resigning to work on his father's presidential campaign.

Bush frequently communicated with his father's staff from 1981 through 1992.<ref name=seder/> The younger Bush recommended [[Dexter Lehtinen]] for the post of [[United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida|U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida]] and set up a meeting between the Bush Administration and [[Motorola]].<ref name=seder>{{cite news|last1=Eder|first1=Steve|last2=Barbaro|first2=Michael|title=As Dynasty's Son, Jeb Bush Used His Connections Freely|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/us/politics/as-dynastys-son-jeb-bush-used-his-connections-freely.html|access-date=February 15, 2015|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=February 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215035332/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/us/politics/as-dynastys-son-jeb-bush-used-his-connections-freely.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also advocated for [[Cuban exile]]s living in [[South Florida]], and supported the [[United States embargo against Cuba|Cuban embargo]].<ref name=seder/> In 1990, Bush urged his father to pardon [[Orlando Bosch]], a Cuban exile who had been convicted of firing a rocket into a Polish ship which was on passage to Cuba. Bosch was released from prison and granted residency in the U.S.<ref name=Campbell>Campbell, Duncan [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/dec/02/usa.books "The Bush dynasty and the Cuban criminals."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826192105/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/dec/02/usa.books|date=August 26, 2013}} ''[[The Guardian]]'' (December 2, 2002). Retrieved September 9, 2010.</ref>

In 1989, Bush was the campaign manager of [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]], the first Cuban-American to serve in Congress, in her [[1989 Florida's 18th congressional district special election|special election]].<ref name=Adams>Adams, David and Simon, Stephanie.  [https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-bush-jeb-idUSL2E8HMDT820120625 "Jeb Bush: Party elder statesman or 2016 candidate?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164911/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/25/usa-bush-jeb-idUSL2E8HMDT820120625|date=September 24, 2015}}, ''[[Reuters]]'' (June 25, 2012).</ref>

==1994 gubernatorial bid==
In 1994, Bush launched an [[1994 Florida gubernatorial election|unsuccessful bid]] for the governor's office against incumbent [[Florida Democratic Party|Democratic]] governor [[Lawton Chiles]].<ref name=Adams/> Bush ran that year as a conservative. At one point, he was asked what he would do for [[African American]]s, and Bush responded: "It's time to strive for a society where there's equality of opportunity, not equality of results. So I'm going to answer your question by saying: probably nothing."<ref>Aberbach, Joel and Peele, Gillian.  ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=QE7U4-Ion7kC&pg=PA189 Crisis of Conservatism?: The Republican Party, the Conservative Movement, and American Politics After Bush] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512223749/http://books.google.com/books?id=QE7U4-Ion7kC&pg=PA189|date=May 12, 2015}}'', p. 189 (Oxford University Press, 2011).</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/1998/10/15/listening-jeb-bush|title=Listening Jeb Bush|newspaper=The Economist|date=October 15, 1998|access-date=May 29, 2013|archive-date=January 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105210434/http://www.economist.com/node/172303|url-status=live}}</ref>  Bush led through much of the campaign.  Then with just a few weeks before election day, Bush ran a campaign ad featuring the mother of a 10-year-old girl who had been abducted and murdered many years before.  The ad opened with pictures of the girl and then shifted to her mother who gave a description of her daughter's case and then said "Her killer is still on death row and we're still waiting for justice.  We won't get it from Lawton Chiles because he's too liberal on crime. . . Lawton Chiles has let us down. . . I know Jeb Bush.  He'll make criminals serve their sentences and enforce the death penalty.  Lawton Chiles won't."<ref>[https://orlandosentinel.com/os-xpm-1994-10-26-9410260035-story.html]{{dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thedailybanter.com/2015/06/30/how-jeb-bush-proved-his-own-willie-horton-style-ad-was-a-lie/|title=How Jeb Bush Proved His Own Willie Horton-Style Ad Was a Lie|newspaper=The Daily Banter |access-date=December 4, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204235102/https://thedailybanter.com/2015/06/30/how-jeb-bush-proved-his-own-willie-horton-style-ad-was-a-lie/|url-status=live}}</ref>  The ad caused a storm of controversy.  Florida prosecutors and former Supreme Court justices toured the state with Chiles saying that Bush didn't know what he was talking about.  It was compared, including by a rankled Chiles, to the [[Willie Horton]] ad run on behalf of Bush's father in 1988.  Bush further caused himself problems after being asked by reporters shortly after the ad started airing if signing death warrants immediately would have changed the outcome of the case by saying "No."  With polls showing that voters had doubts about Bush's integrity, Chiles began pounding on the theme that Bush could not be trusted.  In every commercial, no matter what the subject, Chiles ended with the tagline: "That's why we can't trust Jeb Bush with our future."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crowleypoliticalreport.com/2015/01/jeb-bushs-worst-day.html|title=Jeb Bush's worst day|access-date=December 4, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204232325/https://www.crowleypoliticalreport.com/2015/01/jeb-bushs-worst-day.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the candidates last debate, the only one of the campaign held in prime time, moderator [[Tim Russert]] asked Bush how he could continue to justify running the ad that was "by your own admission, misleading."  Bush responded that the ad was no longer being aired because it had "completed," but that he would have kept it on the air longer.  He tried to justify running it by saying that Chiles was in his opinion, "liberal on crime," and hadn't yet acted on some other death warrants.  Chiles said when it was his turn to respond that he had supported the death penalty all his life and that he had executed as many people as governor, eight, as the previous two administrations; that "as Governor, I hold the phone as they walk into the death chamber, I give the last command before they pull the switch."  And then he said: "You put on this ad, Jeb.  You knew it was false.  You even admitted it was false. . . I'm ashamed that you would use the agony of a mother and the loss of her daughter in an ad like this.  It's      demagoguery, pure and simple.  Every paper in the state has looked at that ad; everyone of them has said it is a new low.  Your father had the record in the Willie Horton ad, but you've outdone that.  And Jeb, I'll tell you how long you ran that ad, you ran that ad til' your polls started telling you you were taking a beating on it, and you still are taking a beating on it!  It was a mistake, you shouldn't have done it," as whoops and applause rang out from Chiles partisans in the audience<ref>[https://www.cspan.org/video/?video/61250-1/florida-gubernatorial-debate] {{dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> (incidentally, the girl in the ad's convicted killer would not be executed until 2013, during the administration of Governor [[Rick Scott]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/larry-mann-executed-for-palm-harbor-girls-1980-killing/2114432/|title=Larry Mann executed for Palm Harbor girl's 1980 killing|access-date=December 4, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204232037/https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/larry-mann-executed-for-palm-harbor-girls-1980-killing/2114432/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bush lost the election by only 63,940 votes out of 4,206,076 that were cast for the major party candidates (2,135,008; 51% to 2,071,068; 49%). In the same election year, his older brother, George, was elected [[Governor of Texas]]. Following his election loss, Bush joined the board of [[the Heritage Foundation]] and continued to work with Codina Partners.<ref name=AMacGillis/> Alongside [[T. Willard Fair]], the president of the [[National Urban League|Urban League's]] Miami affiliate, Bush helped to establish Florida's first [[charter school]].<ref name=AMacGillis/>

==Governor of Florida==
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Bush ran again for governor in [[1998 Florida gubernatorial election|1998]], defeating Democrat [[Buddy MacKay]], who was lieutenant governor. Bush ran for reelection in [[2002 Florida gubernatorial election|2002]] to become Florida's first two-term Republican governor.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeb-bush-makes-history-in-florida/|title=Jeb Bush Makes History In Florida|work=CBS News|date=November 5, 2002|access-date=July 25, 2016|archive-date=May 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512222254/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/04/politics/main527998.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> During his eight years as governor, Bush was credited with initiating environmental improvements, such as conservation in the [[Everglades]],<ref>[[Michael Grunwald]], [http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/03/jeb-bush-everglades-115655.html Jeb in the Wilderness: The time Florida's Republican governor took on the biggest environmental restoration project in American history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510042508/http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/03/jeb-bush-everglades-115655.html|date=May 10, 2015}}, ''Politico Magazine'' (March/April 2015).</ref> supporting [[Non-economic damages caps|caps for medical malpractice litigation]], moving [[medicaid]] recipients to private systems, and instituting reforms to the state education system, including the issuance of vouchers and promoting [[school choice]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|last=Associated|first=The|url=http://jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/121406/D8M0RQ0G1.shtml|title=Gov. Jeb Bush's environmental legacy during eight years in office|publisher=Jacksonville.com|date=December 14, 2006|access-date=May 29, 2013|archive-date=May 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514055640/http://jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/121406/D8M0RQ0G1.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/tag/jeb-bush/|title=Jeb Bush &#124; StateImpact Florida|publisher=Stateimpact.npr.org|access-date=May 29, 2013|archive-date=June 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623210503/http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/tag/jeb-bush/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bush was governor when his brother George won an intensely fought [[United States presidential election in Florida, 2000|election recount in Florida]] to become president. Bush recused himself from any official role in the recount.<ref>Getter, Lisa. "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jul-14-mn-22362-story.html Jeb Bush's Recount Role Examined] ." ''[[Los Angeles Times]].'' July 14, 2001. Retrieved 2014-12-06.</ref>

===1998 election bid===
{{Main|1998 Florida gubernatorial election}}

In 1998, Bush defeated his Democratic opponent, Lieutenant Governor Buddy MacKay, by over 418,000 votes (2,191,105; 55 percent to 1,773,054; 45 percent) to become [[List of Governors of Florida|Governor of Florida]]. He campaigned as a "consensus-building pragmatist".<ref name=autogenerated1/> Simultaneously, his brother, George W. Bush won a re-election victory for a second term as Governor of Texas, and they became the first siblings to govern two states simultaneously since [[Nelson Rockefeller|Nelson]] and [[Winthrop Rockefeller]] governed [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Arkansas]] from 1967 to 1971.<ref>{{cite news|author=Richard L. Berke|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/19/us/bush-brothers-provide-light-to-republicans-after-a-dreary-election.html|title=Bush Brothers Provide Light to Republicans After a Dreary Election|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 19, 1998|access-date=December 16, 2014|archive-date=December 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217004624/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/19/us/bush-brothers-provide-light-to-republicans-after-a-dreary-election.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1998 election, Bush garnered 61 percent of the Hispanic vote and 14 percent of the African American vote.<ref>{{cite news|author=Nia-Malika Henderson|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/12/15/jeb-bush-did-really-well-with-latinos-in-florida-it-probably-doesnt-mean-much-for-2016/|title=Jeb Bush did really well with Latinos in Florida|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 15, 2014|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630162124/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/12/15/jeb-bush-did-really-well-with-latinos-in-florida-it-probably-doesnt-mean-much-for-2016/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2002 re-election bid===
{{Main|2002 Florida gubernatorial election}}

Bush was unopposed in the 2002 Republican gubernatorial primary, and in the general election he faced Democratic challenger [[Bill McBride (politician)|Bill McBride]]. They met for two debates, in the most expensive Florida gubernatorial election yet.<ref name=debate>{{cite news|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/27/State/Bush__McBride_debate_.shtml|title=Bush, McBride debate tonight|access-date=May 25, 2008|date=September 27, 2002|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|archive-date=May 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523100526/http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/27/State/Bush__McBride_debate_.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=final>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbc6.net/news/1733655/detail.html|title=Bush, McBride Face Off In Final Debate|access-date=May 25, 2008|date=October 22, 2002|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=October 25, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021025012030/http://www.nbc6.net/news/1733655/detail.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=popularity>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A11040-2002Nov5?language=printer|title=Bush Bets His Popularity And Scores a Big Victory|access-date=May 25, 2008|date=November 6, 2002|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}{{Dead link|date=August 2021|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Voting went smoothly.<ref name=surge>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE6DF113EF935A35752C1A9649C8B63|title=The 2002 Elections: The Florida Vote – Bush Wins 2nd Term With Surge|access-date=May 25, 2008|date=November 6, 2002|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|first=Dana|last=Canedy|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028135547/https://www.nytimes.com/vi-assets/static-assets/global-2c70a72e6a867f256c6ccdf508c13728.css|url-status=live}}</ref> Bush defeated McBride 56 percent to 43 percent, a greater margin of victory than in 1998.

Bush won 44 percent of the state's Jewish vote in the 2002 race.<ref>Stewart, Russ. [http://www.russstewart.com/4-16-03.htm Will Iraqi Victory convert Jews to GOP?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119045334/http://www.russstewart.com/4-16-03.htm|date=November 19, 2008}}, ''Russ Stewart'', April 16, 2003. Retrieved June 14, 2008.</ref> Bush also won the white female vote in the swing-voting battleground of Central Florida's [[Interstate 4|I-4 corridor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/003/259yvdec.asp?pg=2|title=The (Finally) Emerging Republican Majority|publisher=Weeklystandard.com|access-date=April 3, 2009|archive-date=May 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510024431/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/003/259yvdec.asp?pg=2|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he was not able to replicate the same success with African American voters (like he had earlier in 1998), winning only 8 percent of the African American vote. He became the first Republican governor of Florida to win re-election.<ref name=history/>

===Tenure===
====Economic policy====
While governor, Bush presided over a state government that reduced taxes by {{USD}}19 billion and he vetoed {{USD}}2 billion in new spending, according to ''The Wall Street Journal''.<ref name=wsj/> An analysis conducted by economist Martin Sullivan, which eliminated the effects of the federal estate tax repeal (which did not require legislative action to go into effect) and inflation, estimated the cumulative reduction in taxes by the state at closer to {{USD}}13 billion during Bush's tenure, resulting in tax savings by 2006 of {{USD}}140 per person, per year.<ref name=Politifact.taxes>{{cite news|url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2015/jun/11/jeb-bush/Jeb-Bush-says-he-cut-Florida-taxes-by-19-billion/|title=Jeb Bush says he cut Florida taxes by {{USD}}19 billion, but did he really?|publisher=PolitiFact|last=Gillin|first=Joshua|date=June 11, 2015|access-date=August 27, 2015|archive-date=August 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821112754/http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2015/jun/11/jeb-bush/Jeb-Bush-says-he-cut-Florida-taxes-by-19-billion/|url-status=live}}</ref> A substantial amount of the tax savings in the higher estimate came from the phasing out of the federal estate tax law implemented in 2001 under [[President George W. Bush]], for a total tax savings of {{USD}}848 million per year; Jeb Bush did not push for a replacement with a state tax.<ref name=Politifact.taxes/> The biggest reduction in taxes was due to the elimination of the state's Intangible Personal Property Tax, which applied to holdings of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and money market funds.<ref name=MacManusCSM/>

During Bush's tenure, the state also increased its reserves from {{USD}}1.3 billion to {{USD}}9.8 billion, which coincided with Florida receiving the highest possible bond rating for the first time.<ref name=wsj>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bushs-record-offers-cover-from-the-right-1424316603|title=Jeb Bush's Record Offers Cover From the Right|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|last=Reinhard|first=Beth|date=February 18, 2015|access-date=March 8, 2017|archive-date=October 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001111512/http://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bushs-record-offers-cover-from-the-right-1424316603|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Kurt Wenner, VP of research at Florida Tax Watch, Bush was governor during one of the strongest revenue periods for the state of Florida, due in part to the boom in property values, so that revenue grew despite the tax cuts he implemented.<ref name=CNNMoney.Bush_tax>{{cite web|title=The Other Bush on Taxes|url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/12/17/pf/taxes/jeb-bush-taxes/|website=CNN Money|date=December 17, 2014|access-date=28 August 2015|archive-date=December 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229124646/http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/17/pf/taxes/jeb-bush-taxes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bush reduced the state's government workforce by 11 percent.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|title=Jeb Bush says he cut 13,000 state workforce jobs as governor|url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2015/jun/09/jeb-bush/jeb-bush-says-he-cut-13000-state-workforce-jobs-go/|publisher=PolitiFact|access-date=August 4, 2015|archive-date=August 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804013252/http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2015/jun/09/jeb-bush/jeb-bush-says-he-cut-13000-state-workforce-jobs-go/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=WaPo.Jeb_Bush_era>{{cite news|last1=Kleindienst|first1=Linda|title=The Jeb Bush Era Ends in Florida|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/05/AR2007010502156.html|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=28 August 2015|archive-date=November 25, 2014|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141125004059/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/05/AR2007010502156.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2006, as part of a {{USD}}448.7 million [[line-item veto]] of state funding, he cut a total of {{USD}}5.8 million in grants to [[public libraries]], pilot projects for library homework help and web-based high-school texts, and funding for a joint-use library in Tampa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2006abc/may2006ab/bushveto.cfm|title=American Libraries – Gov. Jeb Bush Vetoes Florida Library Appropriations|publisher=ALA|date=May 26, 2006|access-date=April 3, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604160013/http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2006abc/may2006ab/bushveto.cfm|archive-date=June 4, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

As Governor of Florida, Bush received grades of B in 2000,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Stephen|last2=Slivinski|first2=Stephen|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa391.pdf|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2000|website=Policy Analysis No. 391|date=February 12, 2001|access-date=September 3, 2015|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204084346/http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa391.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Stephen|last2=Slivinski|first2=Stephen|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2000|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2000|date=February 12, 2001|access-date=September 3, 2015|archive-date=September 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912031652/http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2000|url-status=live}}</ref> A in 2002,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Stephen|last2=Slivinski|first2=Stephen|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa454.pdf|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2002|website=Policy Analysis No. 454|date=September 20, 2002|access-date=September 3, 2015|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204084343/http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa454.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Stephen|last2=Slivinski|first2=Stephen|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-454es.html|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2002|date=September 20, 2002|access-date=September 3, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904142858/http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-454es.html|archive-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref> B in 2004,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Stephen|last2=Slivinski|first2=Stephen|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa537.pdf|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2004|website=Policy Analysis No. 537|date=March 1, 2005|access-date=September 3, 2015|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204084340/http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa537.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Stephen|last2=Slivinski|first2=Stephen|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2004|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2004|date=March 1, 2005|access-date=September 3, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030007/http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2004|url-status=live}}</ref> and C in 2006<ref>{{cite web|last=Slivinski|first=Stephen|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa581.pdf|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2006|website=Policy Analysis No. 581|date=October 24, 2006|access-date=September 3, 2015|archive-date=May 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521030713/http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa581.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Slivinski|first=Stephen|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2006|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2006|date=October 24, 2006|access-date=September 3, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030040/http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2006|url-status=live}}</ref> from the [[Cato Institute]], a [[Libertarianism in the United States|libertarian]] think tank, in their biennial Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's governors.

====Education policy====
Bush's administration emphasized public education reform. His "A+ Plan" established heightened standards, required testing of all students, and graded all Florida schools. From 1998 to 2005, reading scores of 4th grade students in Florida on the [[National Assessment of Educational Progress]] increased 11 points, compared to 2.5 points nationally, according to the [[Maine Heritage Policy Center]], a [[conservative think tank]] which opposes standardized testing.<ref name=policy>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/sites/default/files/PN2007-15.pdf|title=Governor Jeb Bush: A Record of Leadership and Policy Accomplishment|publisher=[[Washington Policy Center]]|access-date=May 10, 2014|archive-date=May 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222253/http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/sites/default/files/PN2007-15.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bush has been a proponent of [[school voucher]]s and [[charter school]]s, especially in areas of the state with failing public schools, although to date very few schools have received failing grades from the state. He established the McKay Scholarship Program which provides vouchers for students with learning disabilities to attend a school of their choice. He also established the A+ Opportunity Scholarship Program which provided vouchers to students. This program was struck down by the Florida Supreme Court in 2006.<ref>Thomas, Robert.  ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=UtyE_O4XMDkC&pg=PA167 God in the Classroom: Religion and America's Public Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208061953/https://books.google.com/books?id=UtyE_O4XMDkC&pg=PA167|date=February 8, 2016}}'', p. 167 (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007).</ref>

Bush helped create the Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship which provides corporations with tax credits for donations to Scholarship Funding Organizations. Those organizations must spend 100% of the donations on scholarships for low income students.<ref name=policy/>

Bush declined to raise taxes for education, which led him to oppose a ballot initiative to amend the [[Constitution of Florida|Florida Constitution]] to cap growing school class sizes. Bush said he had "a couple of devious plans if this thing passes".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.floridacapitalnews.com/campaign/stories/1003classsize.htm|title=Bush would seek to kill class-size amendment|access-date=2005-07-26|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021008041532/http://www.floridacapitalnews.com/campaign/stories/1003classsize.htm|archive-date=October 8, 2002|df=mdy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.floridacapitalnews.com/campaign/sound/classsize2.mp3|title=Audio File|access-date=2005-07-26|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021008041532/http://www.floridacapitalnews.com/campaign/sound/classsize2.mp3|archive-date=October 8, 2002|df=mdy}}</ref> Despite his opposition, the amendment passed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?Mode=Constitution&Submenu=3&Tab=statutes#A09S01|title=Statutes & Constitution :Constitution : Online Sunshine|publisher=Leg.state.fl.us|access-date=April 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208105533/http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=constitution&submenu=3&tab=statutes#A09S01|archive-date=December 8, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In higher education, Bush approved three new medical schools during his tenure and also put forth the "One Florida" proposal, an initiative that had the effect of ending [[affirmative action]] admissions programs at state universities.<ref>James, Joni. [http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/18/Business/Jeb_Bush_on_One_Flori.shtml Jeb Bush on One Florida] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320034900/http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/18/Business/Jeb_Bush_on_One_Flori.shtml|date=March 20, 2007}}, ''St. Petersburg Times'', March 18, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2008.</ref> These moves were among the concerns that led to the faculty of the [[University of Florida]] to deny Bush an [[honorary degree]], while the University of Florida Alumni Association made him an [[alumni|honorary alumnus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17768626|title=Jeb Bush denied one honor, wins another – Politics – NBC News|work=NBC News|date=March 24, 2007|access-date=April 3, 2009|archive-date=December 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221171540/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17768626/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Health policy====
As governor, Bush proposed and passed into law major reform to the medical liability system. The [[Florida Senate]], a majority of which were Republican, opposed Bush's proposed caps on non-economic damages for injury and [[wrongful death]]. Bush insisted, and called the legislature into five special sessions. The contentious debate even included a senior Bush staffer calling for primary opposition to Republicans who disagreed with the Governor on the reforms. Eventually, the legislature agreed to the caps and Bush's reforms passed. In 2014, after Bush left office, the [[Florida Supreme Court]] ruled the damage cap – the "centerpiece" of the 2003 legislation that Bush had pushed for – to be a violation of the [[Florida Constitution|state Constitution's]] [[equal protection clause]], discriminating against "those who are most grievously injured, those who sustain the greatest damage and loss, and multiple claimants."<ref>Mary Ellen Klas, [http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/article1961331.html Fla. Supreme Court rejects damage caps on medical malpractice] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101080120/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/article1961331.html|date=November 1, 2015}}, ''Miami Herald'' (March 13, 2014).</ref>

Bush passed a reform to Florida's Medicaid system that moved recipients into private managed care systems.<ref name=wsj/>

Bush was involved in the [[Terri Schiavo case]], involving a woman with massive [[brain damage]], who was on a feeding tube for over 15 years, and whose husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo, wished to remove the tube. This move was opposed by Terri Schiavo's parents in the courts. Bush signed "[[Government involvement in the Terri Schiavo case|Terri's Law]]", legislation passed by the Florida legislature that authorized him, as governor, to keep Schiavo on [[life support]].<ref>[http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2003/10/flor-o31.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108181345/http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2003/10/flor-o31.html|date=January 8, 2015}} Florida Governor Jeb Bush intervenes in "right-to-die" case: A cruel pandering to the religious right, October 31, 2003, Joseph Kay</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/393856/eventually-jeb-bush-will-need-claim-hes-conservative-candidate-jim-geraghty] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108184553/http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/393856/eventually-jeb-bush-will-need-claim-hes-conservative-candidate-jim-geraghty|date=January 8, 2015}}"Eventually, Jeb Bush Will Need to Claim He's the Conservative Candidate" National Review Online Jim Geraghty December 3, 2014</ref> The law was ruled unconstitutional by the [[Supreme Court of Florida|Florida Supreme Court]] on September 23, 2004. That decision was [[appeal]]ed to the federal courts. On January 24, 2005, the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] declined to hear the case, thus allowing the Florida court's ruling to stand.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62695-2005Mar24.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224153704/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62695-2005Mar24.html|date=December 24, 2017}} "Justices Decline Schiavo Case" March 25, 2005, Washington Post</ref>

While Governor of Florida, Bush was opposed to [[abortion]].<ref>John, Arit. January 13, 2015. [https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-01-13/which-bush-is-most-conservative-you-might-be-surprised Which Bush is Most Conservative? You Might Be Surprised] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405091410/http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-01-13/which-bush-is-most-conservative-you-might-be-surprised|date=April 5, 2016}}. ''Bloomberg.'' Retrieved: April 11, 2015.</ref> He supported a law requiring parental notification for teen abortions and requested that the courts appoint a guardian for the unborn child of a mentally disabled woman who had been raped.<ref>{{cite web|author=Scott Conroy|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/04/08/could_jeb_bush_win_over_the_christian_right_in_16.html|title=Could Jeb Bush Win Over the Christian Right in '16?|publisher=RealClearPolitics|date=April 8, 2014|access-date=February 20, 2015|archive-date=January 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127111925/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/04/08/could_jeb_bush_win_over_the_christian_right_in_16.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Choose Life license plates|Choose Life]], a [[Anti-abortion movements|pro-life]] [[advocacy group]] based in [[Ocala, Florida]], submitted a specialty license plate application—previously vetoed by Governor [[Lawton Chiles]]—which passed both houses and was signed into law by Bush on June 8, 1999.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_19991124/ai_n10558203 "Florida approves 'Choose Life' license plate"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810101605/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_19991124/ai_n10558203|date=August 10, 2013}} Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 24, 1999</ref><ref>Olszonowicz, Deborah: [https://archive.today/20070927210150/http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transportation/tranrm_p.htm "Motor Vehicle Registration and License Plates"] x, September 1999</ref>

====Other policies====
[[File:Jeb Bush Earth Day Rookery Bay 2004.jpg|right|thumb|Bush at Rookery Bay participating in Earth Day activities in 2004]]
Bush signed legislation to restore the [[Everglades]] in 2000 as part of a {{USD}}8 billion project in conjunction with the federal government. He also set aside over one million acres of land for conservation as part of a land purchase program.<ref>Chapin, Timothy et al.  ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=lZ8YW6uw2JQC&pg=PA246 Growth Management in Florida: Planning for Paradise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208062035/https://books.google.com/books?id=lZ8YW6uw2JQC&pg=PA246|date=February 8, 2016}}'', p. 246 (Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2012).</ref>

In 2001, Bush eliminated civil service protection for over 16,000 state jobs, which had the effect of making it easier to fire employees in those positions. In addition, he issued an executive order which removed racial preferences in state contracting.<ref name=wsj/>

In 2004, Bush supported an unsuccessful bill to allow illegal immigrants to be issued drivers licenses by the state.<ref name=wsj/>

Bush supported more than a dozen new protections for gun owners.<ref name=wsj/> In 2005, he signed into law Florida's [[stand-your-ground law]],<ref name=syg>{{cite news|last1=Jeffers|first1=Gromer Jr.|title=In Arlington, Jeb Bush says 'stand your ground' invalid in Trayvon Martin case|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/arlington/headlines/20120323-in-arlington-jeb-bush-says-stand-your-ground-invalid-in-trayvon-martin-case.ece|access-date=January 31, 2015|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|date=March 24, 2012|archive-date=February 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201021531/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/arlington/headlines/20120323-in-arlington-jeb-bush-says-stand-your-ground-invalid-in-trayvon-martin-case.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=syg2>{{cite news|last1=Meckler|first1=Laura|title=What Kind of Republican is Bush? His Time as Governor Offers Clues|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bush-built-conservative-record-as-florida-governor-1418761689|access-date=January 31, 2015|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=December 16, 2014|archive-date=February 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201021250/http://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bush-built-conservative-record-as-florida-governor-1418761689|url-status=live}}</ref> which was the first such state law in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=States That Have Stand Your Ground Laws|url=http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/states-that-have-stand-your-ground-laws.html|website=FindLaw|publisher=Thomson Reuters|access-date=February 1, 2015|archive-date=January 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127175812/http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/states-that-have-stand-your-ground-laws.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bush is an advocate of capital punishment and 21 prisoners were executed during his term.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ncronline.org/news/politics/pope-francis-takes-dim-view-death-penalty-not-all-catholics-are-convinced|title=Pope Francis takes a dim view of the death penalty, but not all Catholics are convinced|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|date=March 24, 2015|access-date=June 17, 2015|archive-date=June 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622132120/http://ncronline.org/news/politics/pope-francis-takes-dim-view-death-penalty-not-all-catholics-are-convinced|url-status=live}}</ref> After the execution of [[Ángel Nieves Díaz]] was seemingly botched—it took 37 minutes to complete, and required a second injection of the lethal chemicals—he suspended all executions in Florida on December 15, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16241245|title=Botched execution likely painful, doctors say|agency=Associated Press|date=December 16, 2006|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=January 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108175220/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/16241245/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/botched-execution-likely-painful-doctors-say/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During Bush's tenure, the racial and gender diversity of the state's judicial bench increased. However, according to [[The Wall Street Journal|the ''Wall Street Journal'']], Democrats criticized some of Bush's judicial appointments as being "overtly partisan and political".<ref name=wsj/>

====Veto of high-speed rail and other vetoes====
Bush often used the [[line-item veto]] to limit state spending.<ref>Gillin, Joshua.  [http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/elections-2016/jeb-bush/article22713531.html "PolitiFact Florida: When Jeb Bush was known as 'Veto Corleone'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629173731/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/elections-2016/jeb-bush/article22713531.html|date=June 29, 2015}}, [[Miami Herald]] (May 30, 2015).</ref><ref>Crew, Robert.  [https://books.google.com/books?id=0m-gMZ6E9ooC&pg=PA48 Jeb Bush: Aggressive Conservatism in Florida] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208062100/https://books.google.com/books?id=0m-gMZ6E9ooC&pg=PA48|date=February 8, 2016}}, p. 48 (University Press of America, 2009).</ref> He exercised his veto to stop other legislation as well (such as a bill about "[[parenting coordinator]]s").<ref name=bush>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelizlibrary.org/parenting-coordination/bush-veto.pdf|title=Bush veto dated June 18, 2004|access-date=September 26, 2010|archive-date=July 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727064159/http://www.thelizlibrary.org/parenting-coordination/bush-veto.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1995, the Florida state legislature created the [[Florida high speed rail|High-Speed Rail Authority]] (HSRA) and came up with a public-private partnership model. Government would build the system leveraging state dollars with federal funds and tax-free bonding. The private sector was to invest money in the project, help design and build the network, and be given the franchise to operate the trains (known as [[Project delivery method#Types of Project Delivery Methods|design-build-operate-maintain, or DBOM]]). Trains would be privately owned, similar to how the airline industry operates in a publicly financed airport.<ref name="Florida Bullet Train">[http://www.floridabullettrain.org/fhsra/1_overview.html Florida High Speed Rail – Overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130414175403/http://www.floridabullettrain.org/fhsra/1_overview.html|date=April 14, 2013}}. Florida Bullet Train.org. Retrieved on 2010-11-09.</ref>

The rail system and its planning was estimated to cost $7–$8 billion. The Florida HSRA and the [[Florida Department of Transportation]] (FDOT) reached an agreement with a consortium that included the [[Fluor Corporation]] and [[Bombardier Transportation]]. The consortium agreed to invest $300 million and utilize the DBOM functionality. The state of Florida would float state bonds, and FDOT would commit $70 million annually (increasing three percent yearly to account for inflation) to service the bonds for the next thirty years. Federal monies would pay for the interest on the bonds, and the state monies would satisfy the principal. When the high-speed railroad was running, operating surpluses would also be applied to the debt.<ref name=wait>{{cite book|last=McCommons|first=James|title=Waiting on a Train|publisher=Chelsea Green Publishing Company|year=2009|location=[[White River Junction, Vermont]]|pages=258–259|url=http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/waiting_on_a_train:paperback/|isbn=978-1-60358-064-9|access-date=September 9, 2013|archive-date=August 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830132519/http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/waiting_on_a_train:paperback/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The high-speed rail project nearly came to fruition until Bush became governor in 1999 and ended the project his second day in office,<ref name=wait/> stating that the venture posed too much risk and cost for Florida taxpayers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1999/01/14/bullet-train-hits-a-big-obstacle-jeb-bush/|title=Bullet train hits a big obstacle – Jeb Bush|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=January 14, 1999|access-date=May 19, 2015|archive-date=May 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521041036/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1999-01-14/news/9901140221_1_jeb-bush-bullet-train-overland-express|url-status=live}}</ref> State legislators reacted by adding the project on the 2000 ballot as a constitutional amendment which was ultimately passed by voters. The amendment directed Bush and legislature to start building the railroad system by 2003. Bush vetoed funding for both the project and the board, and led a high-profile campaign to repeal the constitutional requirement that mandated the construction of the high-speed system.<ref name="Florida Bullet Train"/><ref name=wait/> Voters repealed the constitutional amendment. Many who voted believed they were supporting the train, though in fact a "yes" vote was to approve the repeal.<ref name=wait/>

FDOT spokesperson Nazih Haddah commented that "the rhetoric was inflammatory and misleading. It was really exaggerating tactics that were used to defeat this. The financing and the project were sound. It really squandered a great opportunity for this state."<ref name=wait/> Other public officials stated that Bush's underhanded tactics were emblematic of his willingness to protect moneyed interests – including developers, energy producers and highway builders – who opposed a shift toward mass transit and helped fund the repeal effort. "It's that arrogance of kind of the 1%," said Orlando transportation engineer Ian Lockwood.<ref>{{cite news|first=Noah|last=Bierman|title=Jeb Bush's war against Florida high-speed rail shows his governing style|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 10, 2015|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/la-na-jeb-bush-high-speed-rail-20150510-story.html|access-date=April 7, 2016|archive-date=April 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415103458/http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/la-na-jeb-bush-high-speed-rail-20150510-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Public opinion polling====
According to ''[[The Miami Herald]]'', Bush averaged a 58 percent job [[approval rating]] during his eight years in office.<ref name="ugb2">[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-bush-transformed-state/130888256/ Bush transformed state politics]. [[The Miami Herald]]. December 17, 2006.</ref> He left office with a high partisan gap in his ratings: 70 percent among Republicans and 32 percent among Democrats.<ref name="54ot4">James, Joni (October 31, 2006). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-naples-daily-news-bush-finishing-sec/130984147/ Bush finishing second term on positive note]. ''The Naples Daily News''.</ref> He also appealed to a vast majority of independents:  66 percent of those voters graded his governorship in the A or B tier.<ref name="54ot4"/>

In a November 1999 polling survey by the ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'', Bush was rated "excellent or good" by 60 percent of Florida voters, rated "fair" by 26 percent of voters, and rated "poor" by ten percent of voters.<ref>Griffin, Michael (October 15, 1999) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-graham-jeb-bush-wi/130882808/ Graham, Jeb Bush win popularity poll]. ''[[The Orlando Sentinel]]''</ref> In another polling survey by ''The Florida Voter'' in April 2000, Bush's overall ratings dropped to 54 percent of voters approving and 31 percent disapproving of his governorship.<ref>Hollis, Mark (April 13, 2000) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-stuart-news-poll-finds-bushs-popula/130883208/ Poll finds Bush's popularity plunged]. ''[[The Stuart News]]''</ref> A ''[[Sun Sentinel]]'' survey in August placed Bush's approval rating at 57 percent and disapproval rating at 24 percent.<ref>Kleindienst, Linda (August 8, 2000) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-bushs-approv/130883473/ Bush's approval rating climbs]. ''[[South Florida Sun Sentinel]]''</ref> In June 2001, the month Bush announced he would run for a second term, his approval rating remained steady in the mid-50s.<ref>Galey, Philip (June 21, 2001) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-lucie-news-tribune-taking-on-the-bus/130884072/ Taking on the Bush brothers]. ''St. Lucie News Tribune''</ref> In August, a [[Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy]] survey saw Bush's approval rating fall to 49 percent, the first time during his tenure that a majority of voters did not approve of his governorship.<ref>Bousquet, Steve (August 16, 2001). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-bush-revs-machine-for-20/138180839/ Bush revs machine for 2002 fundraising drive]. ''Tampa Bay Times''.</ref><ref>Zeleny, Jeff (September 9, 2001) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-reno-wont-cruise-to-flo/130884192/ Reno won't cruise to Florida office]. ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''</ref> According to a polling survey conducted by ''[[The Tampa Tribune]]'' in January 2002, Bush was rated "excellent or good" by 58 percent of voters, rated "fair" by 27 percent of voters, and rated "poor" by 14 percent of voters.<ref>March, William (January 31, 2002) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-governor-president-sc/130884637/ Governor, President Score High In Poll]. ''[[The Tampa Tribune]]''</ref>

In a March 2002 ''Tampa Tribune'' polling survey, when voters were asked, "do you approve or disapprove the job Jeb Bush is doing as governor", 56 percent of voters said they approved of Bush's governorship, while 35 percent said they disapproved.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-job-approval/130884929/ JOB APPROVAL]. April 1, 2002</ref> A [[Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy]] survey in June 2002 found Bush with a 62 percent approval rating.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press-gov-bush-campaigning-hard-de/139038770/ Gov. Bush campaigning hard despite strong poll numbers]. ''News-Press''. June 21, 2002.</ref> In a July poll by ''The Florida Voter'', 52 percent of voters said they approved of Bush, a heavy decline from the previous month.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/boca-raton-news-bush-still-leads-in-gube/130885207/ Bush still leads in gubernatorial poll, but his job approval ratings decline]. Boca Raton News</ref> In an October survey by ''The Tarrance Group'', Bush garnered an approval rating of 57 percent going into his reelection bid.<ref>St. John, Paige (October 17, 2002) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press-voters-cynical-about-bush-cla/130885643/ Voters cynical about Bush claims]. ''News-Press''</ref> The results of the election were almost an exact match to the poll, with Bush receiving 56 percent of the vote. In a ''Sun Sentinel'' survey in June 2003, Bush was rated "excellent" by 14 percent of voters, rated "good" by 40 percent of voters, rated "fair" by 29 percent of voters, and rated "poor" by 9 percent of voters.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-voters-and-je/130886107/ Voters and Jeb Bush]. ''[[South Florida Sun Sentinel]]''. June 23, 2003.</ref>

In an April 2004 survey by the ''Orlando Sentinel'', Bush was rated "excellent or good" by 54 percent of voters, rated "fair" by 23 percent of voters, and rated "poor" by 23 percent of voters.<ref name="ueg23">[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-governors-approval/130886407/ Governor's approval rating stays at 54%]. ''[[The Orlando Sentinel]]''. April 8, 2004.</ref> In an August polling survey by ''[[SurveyUSA]]'', Bush garnered a 56 percent approval rating.<ref name="oi34h">St. John, Paige (September 22, 2005) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-bushs-support-remains-str/130886806/ Bush's support remains strong despite slight fall among church-goers]. ''Florida Today''</ref> After the [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season]] concluded, a ''Strategic Vision'' survey saw his approval rating jump to 61 percent.<ref>O'Brien, Mark (December 14, 2004). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-theres-a-limit-t/138724717/ There's a limit to the value of term limits on political offices]. ''Pensacola News Journal''.</ref> In another ''SurveyUSA'' survey in September 2005, Bush's approval rating declined to 53 percent.<ref name="oi34h"/> A [[Quinnipiac University]] polling survey conducted in November 2005 also concluded that Bush's approval rating was at 53 percent.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bradenton-herald-gov-jeb-bushs-app/130887183/ Gov. Jeb Bush enjoying good approval rating]. [[Quinnipiac University]]. [[Associated Press]]. February 20, 2006</ref> In a March 2006 survey by [[Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy]], Bush was rated "excellent or good" by 63 percent of voters, rated "fair" by 21 percent of voters, and rated "poor" by 16 percent of voters.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-job-preformance/130887662/ JOB PERFORMANCE]. [[The Orlando Sentinel]]. March 30, 2006</ref> In October 2006, the ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]'' asked voters to grade Governor Bush by letter; in the poll 56 percent of voters graded Bush with an A or a B, 23 percent graded him with a C, 10 percent graded him with a D, and 7 percent graded him an F.<ref>James, Joni (October 29, 2006) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-bushs-grades-stay-up/130887921/ Bush's grades stay up]. [[Tampa Bay Times]].</ref> In a November poll by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, Bush's approval rating reached its highest ever at 64 percent.<ref name="ugb2"/>

==Post-governorship==
===Impact on political party===
[[File:Governor of Florida Jeb Bush, Announcement Tour and Town Hall, Adams Opera House, Derry, New Hampshire by Michael Vadon 07.jpg|thumb|Bush in [[Derry, New Hampshire]] on June 16, 2015]]
According to political scientist Susan MacManus from the [[University of South Florida]], "In Florida, [Bush is] still perceived as conservative, especially on fiscal issues and even on social issues."<ref name=MacManusCSM>{{cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2015/0615/Is-Jeb-Bush-a-real-conservative-Six-things-to-know-about-his-record.-video|work=The Christian Science Monitor|first=Linda|last=Feldmann|title=Is Jeb Bush a real conservative? Six things to know about his record.|date=June 15, 2015|access-date=June 17, 2015|archive-date=June 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617014043/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2015/0615/Is-Jeb-Bush-a-real-conservative-Six-things-to-know-about-his-record.-video|url-status=live}}</ref>

Outside of Florida, fellow Republican leaders throughout the country have sought Bush's aid both on and off the campaign trail. Bush's out-of-state campaign visits include [[Kentucky]], where Republican challenger [[Ernie Fletcher]] appeared with Bush and won that state's governorship in 2003, ending a 32-year streak of Democratic governors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/11/05/loc_kygovernor05k.html|title=As Ky. governor, Fletcher vows to 'clean up mess'|website=enquirer.com|access-date=June 15, 2008|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028135635/https://www.cincinnati.com/gannett-web/apps/teal/dist/tealplayer-f5a26661.min.js|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first few months of 2014, Bush campaigned for New Mexico Gov. [[Susana Martinez]], Nevada Gov. [[Brian Sandoval]], Sen. [[Lamar Alexander]] (Tenn.), and [[David Jolly]] who won a special congressional election in Florida.<ref>Rucker, Philip and Costa, Robert.  [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/influential-republicans-working-to-draft-jeb-bush-into-2016-presidential-race/2014/03/29/11e33b06-b5f2-11e3-8cb6-284052554d74_story.html "Influential Republicans working to draft Jeb Bush into 2016 presidential race"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529144659/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/influential-republicans-working-to-draft-jeb-bush-into-2016-presidential-race/2014/03/29/11e33b06-b5f2-11e3-8cb6-284052554d74_story.html|date=May 29, 2014}}, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' (March 29, 2014).</ref>

Bush has been criticized by some in the [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party]] as not being sufficiently conservative, as he supports positions on immigration and Common Core that are unpopular with some conservatives.<ref>Collinson, Stephen and Reston, Maeve (January 28, 2015) – [http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/28/politics/bush-politics-analysis/ "Jeb Bush's Conservative Evolution"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201035623/http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/28/politics/bush-politics-analysis|date=February 1, 2015}}. ''CNN''. Retrieved January 28, 2015.</ref> Bush publicly criticized the national Republican party for its adherence to "an orthodoxy that doesn't allow for disagreement" on June 11, 2012. In comments shared with [[Bloomberg View]], Bush suggested that Ronald Reagan and his father would "have had a hard time" finding support in the contemporary GOP.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/us/politics/jeb-bush-takes-aim-at-fellow-republicans.html|work=The New York Times|first=Jim|last=Rutenberg|title=Jeb Bush Takes Aim at Fellow Republicans|date=June 11, 2012|access-date=February 17, 2017|archive-date=February 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207003017/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/us/politics/jeb-bush-takes-aim-at-fellow-republicans.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2013, Bush called for passage of immigration reform.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/jeb-bush-republicans-agenda-98461.html|title=Jeb Bush says GOP needs 'agenda{{'-}}|last1=Kopan|first1=Tal|date=October 17, 2013|work=Politico|access-date=October 17, 2013|archive-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017125906/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/jeb-bush-republicans-agenda-98461.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2014, Bush said of illegal immigration: "It's an [[Act of Love (political statement and advertisement)|act of love]]. It's an act of commitment to your family. I honestly think that that is a different kind of crime. There should be a price paid, but it shouldn't rile people up that people are actually coming to this country to provide for their families."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/06/jeb-bush-decide-republican-presidential-run|title=Jeb Bush to decide on Republican presidential run by end of year|date=April 6, 2014|website=Theguardian.com|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|access-date=April 6, 2014|archive-date=April 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407102341/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/06/jeb-bush-decide-republican-presidential-run|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Political interests===
From 2004 to 2007, Bush served as a board member for the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nagb.org/who-we-are/members.html#former|title=Who We Are – Board Members|publisher=National Assessment Governing Board|access-date=May 29, 2013|archive-date=May 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502073828/http://www.nagb.org/who-we-are/members.html#former|url-status=live}}</ref> Created by Congress, the board's purpose is to establish policy on reports examining K-12 students' academic progress in America's public and private schools. Since then Bush's education foundation has advocated for the [[Common Core State Standards Initiative]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/09/read-rick-scotts-common-core-letters-order-a-jeb-bush-dis-will-legislature-abide.html|title=Read Rick Scott's Common Core letters, order. A Jeb Bush dis? Not quite. Will Legislature abide? Yes|last1=Caputo|first1=Marc A.|date=September 23, 2013|work=The Miami Herald|access-date=October 17, 2013|archive-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017192707/http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/09/read-rick-scotts-common-core-letters-order-a-jeb-bush-dis-will-legislature-abide.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2013, referring to opponents of the standards, Bush said that while "criticisms and conspiracy theories are easy attention grabbers", he instead wanted to hear their solutions to the problems in American education.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/jeb-bush-to-common-core-opponents-conspiracy-theories-are-easy-attention/2147666/|title=Jeb Bush to Common Core opponents: 'conspiracy theories are easy attention grabbers{{'-}}|last1=Leary|first1=Alex|date=October 17, 2013|work=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=October 17, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017154221/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/jeb-bush-to-common-core-opponents-conspiracy-theories-are-easy-attention/2147666|archive-date=October 17, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In May 2006, Bush was approached to become the next commissioner of the [[National Football League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/governor-jeb-bush-confirms-discussing-his-interest-in-nfl-commissioner-job|title=Governor Jeb Bush Confirms Discussing His Interest in NFL Commissioner Job|website=Fox News|access-date=June 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060602111107/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196801,00.html|archive-date=June 2, 2006|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The outgoing commissioner, [[Paul Tagliabue]], was searching for replacements. In response, Bush said on May 24, 2006, that "I'm Governor of the state of Florida and I intend to be Governor until I leave—which is January 2007."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-24-bush-tagliabue_x.htm|title=Jeb Bush quashes NFL speculation|publisher=Usatoday.Com|date=May 25, 2006|access-date=April 3, 2009|archive-date=May 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508104429/http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-24-bush-tagliabue_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Roger Goodell]] eventually became the new NFL commissioner.

In September 2024, Bush was one of several former governors to sign an open letter to all 50 current governors urging them to certify their states’ votes after the upcoming November election.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Politico]] |title=Former governors urge successors to certify election results |author=Jonathan Lemire |date=September 17, 2024}}</ref>

===Business activities===
{{expand section|date=September 2015}}
According to Fox Business, Bush earned nearly half of the {{USD}}29 million he earned between 2007 and when he decided to run for Republican presidential nomination in December 2014, from [[Wall Street]] banks and companies.<ref name=FoxBusiness.Lehman>{{cite web|last1=Gasparino|first1=Charlie|title=Exclusive: Why Doesn't Jeb Want to Talk About Lehman Bros?|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/2015/07/09/jeb/|publisher=Fox Business|access-date=19 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908190505/http://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/2015/07/09/jeb/|archive-date=September 8, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In April 2007, Bush joined [[Tenet Healthcare]]'s board of directors.<ref>Koenig, David. [https://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2007-05-10-3254091799_x.htm Jeb Bush joins Tenet Healthcare's board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018080241/http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2007-05-10-3254091799_x.htm|date=October 18, 2011}}, ''USA Today'', May 10, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2008.</ref> The following August, Bush joined investment bank, [[Lehman Brothers]], as an adviser in its [[private equity]] group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/fundsFundsNews/idUSN3046902620070830|title=Lehman hires Jeb Bush as private equity advisor|work=Reuters|date=August 30, 2007|access-date=April 3, 2009|first=Dan|last=Wilchins|archive-date=May 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516162240/http://www.reuters.com/article/fundsFundsNews/idUSN3046902620070830|url-status=live}}</ref> Bush has also served on the board of [[InnoVida]], [[Swisher Hygiene]], and [[Rayonier]] and has served as an adviser to [[Barclays]].<ref name="Barbaro">{{cite news|last=Barbaro|first=Michael|title=Jeb Bush's Rush to Make Money May Be Hurdle|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|page=A1|date=April 21, 2014|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/21/us/politics/jeb-bushs-rush-to-make-money-may-be-hurdle.html?hp&_r=1|access-date=April 28, 2014|archive-date=April 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429091805/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/21/us/politics/jeb-bushs-rush-to-make-money-may-be-hurdle.html?hp&_r=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Bush would later return {{USD}}270,000 in consultancy fees he had been paid by InnoVida after they declared bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/19/timeline-jeb-bush-and-innovida/|title=Timeline: Jeb Bush and InnoVida|last1=Gold|first1=Matea|date=January 19, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 6, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406065518/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/19/timeline-jeb-bush-and-innovida/|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2014, Bush had received more than {{USD}}2 million from his work for Tenet, a company that expected to receive {{USD}}100 million in new earnings in 2014 because of the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] (ACA) and that "aggressively encouraged Americans to sign up for insurance under the program...."<ref name="Barbaro" /> Bush has reportedly objected to the ACA at company meetings, but has kept his personal views separate from what is best for Tenet.<ref name="Barbaro" /> Bush owns several international stocks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Renzulli|first=Kerri|title=Jeb Bush's Personal Investments Are as Messy as His Suspended Campaign|language=en|website=Money|url=https://money.com/investing-mistake-jeb-bush/|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416104009/https://money.com/investing-mistake-jeb-bush/|archive-date=April 16, 2021}}</ref>

==2016 presidential campaign==
{{Main|Jeb Bush 2016 presidential campaign}}

[[File:Jeb Bush by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg|thumb|250px|Bush speaking at [[Conservative Political Action Conference|CPAC]] in Washington D.C., 2015]]
Bush had been considered a potential candidate in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]] since the end of the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 election]].<ref name=NYT2016>{{cite news|last=Rutenberg|first=Jim|author2=Jeff Zeleny|title=Jeb Bush in 2016? Not Too Early for Chatter|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/23/us/politics/jeb-bush-in-2016-its-not-too-early-for-chatter.html|access-date=December 1, 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 22, 2012|archive-date=November 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130110338/http://www.nytimes.com//2012/11/23/us/politics/jeb-bush-in-2016-its-not-too-early-for-chatter.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 2, 2014, [[George W. Bush]] said that his brother "wants to be President".<ref>Kendall Breitman, [https://www.politico.com/story/2014/10/george-w-bush-jeb-bush-president-111550.html George W. Bush: I think Jeb wants it] . ''Politico'', 10/2/14.</ref> On December 16, 2014, Bush announced via [[Facebook]] that he would be "actively exploring" a 2016 run to become President of the United States and at the end of the year resigned from several corporate boards.<ref name="actively exploring">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/jeb-bush/a-note-from-jeb-bush/619074134888300|title=A Note from Jeb Bush|website=facebook.com|access-date=December 16, 2014|archive-date=December 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216234257/https://www.facebook.com/notes/jeb-bush/a-note-from-jeb-bush/619074134888300|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/01/jeb-bush-sheds-corporate-commitments-2016-presidential-run|title=Jeb Bush sheds corporate commitments to help 2016 presidential run|last1=Roberts|first1=Dan|date=January 1, 2015|website=Theguardian.com|publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited|access-date=January 1, 2015|archive-date=January 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101201933/http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/01/jeb-bush-sheds-corporate-commitments-2016-presidential-run|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2015, Bush released several thousand emails from his time as governor online. Most of the emails are in the public record under Florida's [[Freedom of information legislation (Florida)|Sunshine Laws]]. However, Bush created controversy by releasing some emails that included some personal details such as social security numbers, names, and addresses, as well as the contents of the messages.<ref name=Mendoza>{{cite web|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0210/Jeb-Bush-releases-eight-years-worth-of-emails-Is-that-legal|title=Jeb Bush releases eight years' worth of emails: Is that legal?|website=Christian Science Monitor|date=February 10, 2015|access-date=February 10, 2015|author=Mendoza, Jessica|archive-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211014402/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0210/Jeb-Bush-releases-eight-years-worth-of-emails-Is-that-legal|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/jeb-bush-emails-released-florida-115077.html Jeb Bush camp blames Florida for unredacted emails]  Kendall Breitman, Politico,  February 10, 2015</ref> Bush's campaign team subsequently redacted the personal information.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31427228|title=Jeb Bush redacts correspondents' leaked information|website=BBC|date=February 11, 2015|access-date=February 12, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211224917/http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31427228|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Jeb Bush (22709849565).jpg|thumb|250x250px|Bush speaking in [[Iowa]], 2016]]
By extending the exploration mode of his potential candidacy to a six-month period (his scheduled announcement came one day short of six months into his exploratory phase), Bush used his time to get acquainted with the press, court donors, and prepare a strategy. In doing this, he navigated several [[Campaign finance in the United States|campaign finance laws]] which limit donations and prohibit coordination with Super PACs. This included delaying his official announcement to run, in order to circumvent the cap on primary donations of $2,700 per individual.<ref>Frumin, Aliyah. [https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/jeb-bush-exploits-huge-loophole-campaign-money-rule "Jeb Bush exploits major loophole in campaign finance rule"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107223358/http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/jeb-bush-exploits-huge-loophole-campaign-money-rule|date=January 7, 2020}}, MSNBC (May 2, 2015).</ref> In May 2015, it was reported that Bush had been raising money since January 2015, estimated to be close to {{USD}}100 million, for his [[Super PACs|super PAC]], [[Right to Rise]].<ref>Frumin, Aliyah. May 2, 2015. [https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/jeb-bush-exploits-huge-loophole-campaign-money-rule Jeb Bush exploits major loophole in campaign finance rule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107223358/http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/jeb-bush-exploits-huge-loophole-campaign-money-rule|date=January 7, 2020}}. ''MSNBC.'' Retrieved: May 3, 2015.</ref> 
[[File:Jeb! 5.png|left|thumb|176x176px|Bush's campaign logo]]
Bush announced his [[Jeb Bush presidential campaign, 2016|candidacy]] on June 15, 2015, at a multicultural campus of [[Miami Dade College]].<ref name="Diamond">{{cite news|last=Diamond|first=Jeremy|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/04/politics/jeb-bush-2016-announcement/|title=Jeb Bush to announce candidacy June 15|publisher=CNN|date=June 4, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=June 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607013030/http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/04/politics/jeb-bush-2016-announcement|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="wsj.com">{{cite news|last1=Tau|first1=Byron|title=Jeb Bush Files Paperwork to Run for President|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bush-formally-announces-hell-seek-gop-presidential-nomination-1434388382|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=June 15, 2015|access-date=June 15, 2015|archive-date=June 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615191937/http://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bush-formally-announces-hell-seek-gop-presidential-nomination-1434388382|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="reuters.com">{{cite web|last1=Holland|first1=Steve|title=Jeb Bush vows to fix Washington as he starts White House run|website=[[Reuters]]|date=June 15, 2015|url=https://www.reuters.com/video/2015/06/15/jeb-bush-vows-to-fix-washington-as-he-st?videoId=364597312|access-date=June 15, 2015|archive-date=June 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617101909/http://www.reuters.com/video/2015/06/15/jeb-bush-vows-to-fix-washington-as-he-st?videoId=364597312|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''[[Reuters]]'', Bush characterized himself as a moderate Republican who still has conservative principles; he promised immigration reform, spoke fluent Spanish, mentioned his wife's Mexican origins, and criticized [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref name="strikes">Holland, Steve.  [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-bush-idUSKBN0OV0CW20150615 "Jeb Bush strikes softer tone at start of White House run"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924220525/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/15/us-usa-election-bush-idUSKBN0OV0CW20150615|date=September 24, 2015}}, ''[[Reuters]]'' (June 15, 2015).</ref> David Yepsen, director of the [[Paul Simon Public Policy Institute]], said: "It's pretty hard for [Republicans] to win the White House if current Hispanic voting trends continue. (Bush) has some unique abilities to appeal to those voters and he's going to maximize them."<ref name="strikes"/>

After a series of poor results in Iowa and New Hampshire, Bush spent his remaining money and campaign effort on the South Carolina primary. He placed fourth with under 8% of the vote. That night, Bush suspended his campaign, ending his presidential bid, and subsequently endorsed [[Texas]] senator [[Ted Cruz]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeb Bush drops out of GOP race in South Carolina|url=http://ktar.com/story/922052/jeb-bush-drops-out-gop-presidential-race-south-carolina/|website=KTAR.com|access-date=2016-02-21|language=en|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221083817/http://ktar.com/story/922052/jeb-bush-drops-out-gop-presidential-race-south-carolina/|archive-date=February 21, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>Lee, M. J. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/09/politics/donald-trump-jeb-bush-iowa/ "Donald Trump and Jeb Bush aren't on the same planet"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015014932/http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/09/politics/donald-trump-jeb-bush-iowa/|date=October 15, 2015}} ''[[CNN]]'' (October 9, 2015).</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/23/politics/jeb-bush-ted-cruz-endorsement/index.html|title=Jeb Bush backs Ted Cruz for president|author1=Mark Preston|author2=Theodore Schleifer|date=March 23, 2016|publisher=CNN|access-date=June 17, 2016|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617150206/http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/23/politics/jeb-bush-ted-cruz-endorsement/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Jeb Bush Drops Out of Presidential Race|url=https://time.com/4231664/jeb-bush-drops-out-president/|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=2016-02-21|archive-date=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221080518/http://time.com/4231664/jeb-bush-drops-out-president/|url-status=live}}</ref> In an analysis of what went wrong, ''Politico'' argues: "His slow, awkward stumble from August through October encapsulates everything that caused the operation viewed as 'Jeb!, Inc.' to fail. Bush was on the wrong side of the most galvanizing issues for Republican primary voters, he himself was a rusty and maladroit campaigner and his campaign was riven by internal disagreements and a crippling fear that left them paralyzed and unable to react to [[Donald Trump|Trump]]."<ref>Eli Stokols, [https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/02/jeb-bush-dropping-out-set-up-to-fail-213662/ "Inside Jeb Bush's $150 Million Failure His closest aides failed to predict Trump and never changed course, guiding a flawed candidate into a corner he couldn't escape."]  February 20, 2016.</ref> In May 2016, Bush announced he would vote neither for Trump nor Clinton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/graham-i-cannot-good-conscience-support-donald-trump-n569511|title=Jeb Bush: 'I Will Not Vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton'|last=Dann|first=Carrie|date=May 6, 2016|work=[[NBC News]]|access-date=October 9, 2016|archive-date=October 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004072636/http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/graham-i-cannot-good-conscience-support-donald-trump-n569511|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Political positions==
{{Main|Political positions of Jeb Bush}}

Bush has addressed myriad political issues over the course of his career, many of them during his governorship. In conjunction with his 2015 bid for the presidency, he has revisited many issues that he addressed before, as well as discussing many new ones.

===Domestic issues===
Bush believes abortions should only be legal in the case of rape or incest or if the life of the mother is in danger. He does not support public funding for abortion clinics.<ref name=VoteSmart>{{cite web|title=Jeb Bush's Issue Positions|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/17340/jeb-bush/#.VSqsVfnF9bU|website=VoteSmart|access-date=April 12, 2015|archive-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419152416/http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/17340/jeb-bush/#.VSqsVfnF9bU|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bush generally rejects the [[scientific consensus on climate change]],<ref name="WPwaldman">{{cite news|author=Waldman, Paul|date=May 12, 2014|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/05/12/where-the-2016-gop-contenders-stand-on-climate-change/|title=Where the 2016 GOP contenders stand on climate change|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-date=April 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414143009/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/05/12/where-the-2016-gop-contenders-stand-on-climate-change/|url-status=live}}</ref> which is that climate change is real, progressing, dangerous, and primarily caused by human activity. While he has stated that "I think global warming may be real", he has claimed that "it is not unanimous among scientists that it is disproportionately manmade", and said that "What I get a little tired of on the left is this idea that somehow science has decided all this so you can't have a view."<ref name="WPwaldman"/> ''[[National Journal]]'' wrote that Bush "does not acknowledge the scientific consensus that human activity drives climate change".<ref>Clare Foran, [http://www.nationaljournal.com/2016-elections/jeb-bush-climate-change-20150522 Jeb Bush is All Over the Place on Climate Change: The 2016 hopeful is "concerned" about global warming. Will he do anything to fight it?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628000047/http://www.nationaljournal.com/2016-elections/jeb-bush-climate-change-20150522|date=June 28, 2015}}, ''National Journal'' (May 22, 2015).</ref>

Bush favors repealing the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] (ACA or "Obamacare") and replacing it with a "market-oriented" alternative.<ref name=Wellford/><ref name="Bobic">Igor Bobic, [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/07/jeb-bush-obamacare_n_6822942.html Jeb Bush: Replace 'Monstrosity' of Obamacare] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108223228/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/07/jeb-bush-obamacare_n_6822942.html|date=November 8, 2016}}, ''Huffington Post'' (March 8, 2015).</ref> Bush has called the current law a "monstrosity",<ref name="Bobic"/> saying that it is "flawed to its core".<ref>Bill Glauber, [http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/barack-obamas-healthcare-law-is-flawed-gops-jeb-bush-says-b99135203z1-230581971.html Obamacare is flawed, Jeb Bush says at Milwaukee event] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910115903/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/barack-obamas-healthcare-law-is-flawed-gops-jeb-bush-says-b99135203z1-230581971.html|date=September 10, 2015}}, ''Journal Sentinel'' (November 4, 2015).</ref> Bush has proposed some sort of state- or local-government funded "[[Catastrophic illness|catastrophic coverage]]" system, in which "if you have a hardship that goes way beyond your means of paying for it, ... the government is there or an entity is there to help you deal with that."<ref name="Bobic"/> After the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ACA in ''[[King v. Burwell]]'' in June 2015, Bush stated that the decision was "not the end of the fight" against the law.<ref name="Ferris">[https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/246426-jeb-bush-court-ruling-is-not-the-end-of-the-fight-against-obamacare/ Jeb: Ruling is 'not the end of the fight' against ObamaCare], ''The Hill'' (June 29, 2015).</ref>

In 2015, Bush took the position that people in the United States illegally should have a path to legal status, but not a path to citizenship,<ref name=Wellford/> and said that legal status and avoiding deportation should require immigrants to pay fines, get work permits, pay taxes, not receive government assistance, learn English, and not commit crimes.<ref name=Mullany/> He supports tougher enforcement of immigration laws, including prosecution of businesses that try to hire illegal aliens.<ref name="Mullany">Mullany, Gerry.  [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/us/politics/jeb-bush-on-the-issues.html?_r=0 Jeb Bush on the Issues] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709084516/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/us/politics/jeb-bush-on-the-issues.html?_r=0|date=July 9, 2017}}, ''The New York Times'' (June 5, 2015).</ref>

Bush, an opponent of [[same-sex marriage]], disagreed with the ''[[Obergefell v. Hodges]]'' [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] decision,<ref>McLaughlin, Seth (June 26, 2015). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/26/jeb-bush-states-should-decide-same-sex-marriage/ Jeb Bush: Same-sex marriage should have been decided by states.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926085110/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/26/jeb-bush-states-should-decide-same-sex-marriage/|date=September 26, 2015}} ''The Washington Times.'' Retrieved: 17 September 2015: "Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush restated his support of traditional marriage in response to the Supreme Court opening the door to same-sex marriage across the country."</ref> and believes that the issue should be decided by the states rather than by the federal government<ref name="Healy">Patrick Healy, [https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/05/17/jeb-bush-takes-tougher-stance-against-same-sex-marriage/ Jeb Bush Takes Tougher Stance Against Same-Sex Marriage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709084501/https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/05/17/jeb-bush-takes-tougher-stance-against-same-sex-marriage/|date=July 9, 2017}}, ''The New York Times'' (May 17, 2015).</ref> and that it is not a constitutional right.<ref>Alexandra Jaffe, [https://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/18/politics/jeb-bush-gay-marriage-opposition/ Jeb Bush stands by opposition to same-sex marriage] , CNN (May 18, 2015).</ref><ref name=Gambino>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/18/jeb-bush-same-sex-marriage-not-constitutional-right|title=Jeb Bush says same-sex marriage should not be a constitutional right|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=May 18, 2015|access-date=June 17, 2015|author=Gambino, Lauren|archive-date=June 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617040307/http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/18/jeb-bush-same-sex-marriage-not-constitutional-right|url-status=live}}</ref> He holds that businesses should have the right to refuse to provide services for same-sex weddings on religious grounds.<ref name=Gambino/> In July 2015, Bush said he supported lifting the military's ban on [[Sexual orientation and gender identity in the United States military|allowing transgender people to openly serve in the military]], so long as "the military's comfortable with this" and it did not impact morale.<ref>Jon Ward, [https://www.yahoo.com/politics/jeb-bush-supports-pentagon-move-to-allow-124273897331.html Jeb Bush supports Pentagon move to allow transgender military service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924022552/https://www.yahoo.com/politics/jeb-bush-supports-pentagon-move-to-allow-124273897331.html|date=September 24, 2015}}, Yahoo Politics (July 16, 2016).</ref>

Overall, Bush is for expanding gun owners' rights.<ref name=Wellford>Rachel Wellford, [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/jeb-bush-believe-candidate-stands-11-issues What does Jeb Bush believe? Where the candidate stands on 11 issues] , PBS (June 15, 2015).</ref> As Governor, Bush adopted a "tough on crime" approach.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/01/jeb-bush-conflicted-about-the-death-penalty/|title=Jeb Bush 'conflicted' about the death penalty|date=2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=July 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726110101/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/01/jeb-bush-conflicted-about-the-death-penalty/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/B/bo27527318.html|title=Building the Prison State|last=Schoenfeld|first=Heather|series=Chicago Series in Law and Society|publisher=Chicago University Press|year=2018|page=173|access-date=July 26, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726110103/https://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/B/bo27527318.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1998 gubernatorial election, he ran on a [[10-20-Life|10-20-life]] platform which imposed stronger mandatory minimum sentences for individuals who used guns in crimes.<ref name=":1" /> Bush is a supporter of the [[Capital punishment in the United States|death penalty]].<ref name="Prokop">Andrew Prokop, [https://www.vox.com/2015/6/15/8779369/jeb-bush-2016 The Jeb Bush formula: How the staunch conservative learned to talk moderate — and win] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726110101/https://www.vox.com/2015/6/15/8779369/jeb-bush-2016|date=July 26, 2019}}, ''Vox'' (June 15, 2015)</ref> In his unsuccessful 1994 campaign for Florida governor, Bush promised to sign many more [[death warrant]]s as governor.<ref name="Prokop" /> One of the "central themes" of Bush's 1994 campaign was his proposal to shorten the appeals period in capital cases.<ref name="Wilkie">Christina Wilkie, [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/08/jeb-bush_n_6436546.html If You Think Jeb Bush Is A Moderate, Then You Missed His 1994 Campaign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516114911/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/08/jeb-bush_n_6436546.html|date=May 16, 2018}}, ''Huffington Post'' (January 8, 2015).</ref> During Bush's term as governor, some [[Capital punishment in Florida|21 prisoners were executed]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ncronline.org/news/politics/pope-francis-takes-dim-view-death-penalty-not-all-catholics-are-convinced|title=Pope Francis takes a dim view of the death penalty, but not all Catholics are convinced|date=March 24, 2015|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=June 17, 2015|archive-date=June 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622132120/http://ncronline.org/news/politics/pope-francis-takes-dim-view-death-penalty-not-all-catholics-are-convinced|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Bush said he was conflicted about the death penalty.<ref name=":0" /> In his 1994 campaign, Bush proposed publishing the names of [[juvenile delinquent]]s so the public would "know who the thugs are in their neighborhoods."<ref name="Prokop" /> In 2002, Bush opposed a Florida ballot measure that would have allowed nonviolent drug offenders to enter [[Drug rehabilitation|treatment programs]] instead of prison.<ref name="Hauserman">Julie Hauserman, [http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/11/news_pf/State/Bush_opposes_ballot_m.shtml Bush opposes ballot measure in drug fight] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102538/http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/11/news_pf/State/Bush_opposes_ballot_m.shtml|date=March 4, 2016}}, ''St. Petersburg Times'' April 11, 2002.</ref> Bush's then-24-year-old daughter had been arrested the same year on drug-related charges and underwent treatment.<ref name="Hauserman" />

Bush admitted smoking marijuana in his teenage years. "Forty years ago I smoked marijuana and I admitted it," said Bush. "I'm sure other people did it and didn't want to admit it in front of 40 million people."<ref name="Wing">Nick Wing, [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jeb-bush-marijuana_us_55fa259de4b0fde8b0ccf674 Jeb Bush Sheepishly Talks About Smoking Weed 40 Years Ago] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011094153/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jeb-bush-marijuana_us_55fa259de4b0fde8b0ccf674|date=October 11, 2017}}, HuffingtonPost (September 16, 2015).</ref> He also agreed that his decision to take marijuana was "stupid" and "wrong."<ref name="Kranish">Michael Kranish, [https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2015/02/01/tumultuous-four-years-phillips-academy-helped-shape-jeb-bush/q6ccyHNOtP1n6kqDokMBfK/story.html Jeb Bush shaped by troubled Phillips Academy years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422082139/http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2015/02/01/tumultuous-four-years-phillips-academy-helped-shape-jeb-bush/q6ccyHNOtP1n6kqDokMBfK/story.html|date=April 22, 2016}}, The Boston Globe (February 01, 2015).</ref><ref name="Ram">Mark Ram, [http://marijuanareform.org/jeb-bush-legalization-marijuana-us/ Jeb Bush on marijuana legalization] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505072717/http://marijuanareform.org/jeb-bush-legalization-marijuana-us/|date=May 5, 2016}}, Marijuana Reform (February 23, 2016).</ref> Bush believes each state should be allowed to decide whether it is appropriate to legalize marijuana or not.<ref name="Wellford" /> Bush opposes [[net neutrality]].<ref>Zeke J. Miller. (March 7, 2015). {{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3736443/net-neutrality-fcc-jeb-bush/|title=Jeb Bush Says Net Neutrality Decision is 'Crazy' |date=March 8, 2015|magazine=Time|access-date=June 17, 2015|archive-date=June 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627053841/http://time.com/3736443/net-neutrality-fcc-jeb-bush/|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> In September 2020, Bush told ''[[The Carlos Watson Show]]'' that he was interested in the concept of a [[universal basic income]], as popularized by 2020 Democratic presidential candidate [[Andrew Yang]].<ref>{{cite web|title=If Jeb Were President: Racial Reconciliation + UBI? - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1439&v=UoeLJS6varw&feature=youtu.be|access-date=2021-01-26|via=[[YouTube]]| date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028135204/https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1439&v=UoeLJS6varw&feature=youtu.be|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Economic issues===
Bush supports a decrease in capital gains taxes and property taxes. He supports cutting taxes for all Americans and believes they do better with less government interference. Bush also is a supporter of welfare restrictions. He supports the following: a four-year limit of benefits, a requirement that able-bodied recipients participate in work-related activities in order to receive benefits, and limiting benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.<ref name="votesmart.org">{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/17340/jeb-bush/#.VVY0TynOXzJ|title=Jeb Bush's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test) – The Voter's Self Defense System – Vote Smart|website=Project Vote Smart|access-date=June 16, 2015|archive-date=July 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705000944/http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/17340/jeb-bush/#.VVY0TynOXzJ|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bush favors gradually raising the [[retirement age]] (i.e., the age for collecting [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]] retirement benefits) from 65 to 68 or 70.<ref name="Ehrenfreund">Max Ehrenfreund, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/06/04/this-presidential-election-could-totally-change-when-you-can-retire/ "This presidential election could totally change when you can retire"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705213455/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/06/04/this-presidential-election-could-totally-change-when-you-can-retire/|date=July 5, 2015}}. ''The Washington Post''. (June 4, 2015).</ref>

Bush is a frequent critic of the [[Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]] and the [[Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act]] of 2010.<ref>Alejandro Lazo, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bush-attacks-obama-policies-says-gop-needs-hopeful-message-in-2016-1422065926 Jeb Bush Attacks Obama Policies, Says GOP Needs 'Hopeful' Message in 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710011908/https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bush-attacks-obama-policies-says-gop-needs-hopeful-message-in-2016-1422065926|date=July 10, 2017}}, ''Wall Street Journal'' (January 23, 2015).</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-election-bush-banks-idUSL1N0YV1XK20150609 Jeb Bush says U.S. bank rules may have contributed to systemic risks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010200759/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/09/usa-election-bush-banks-idUSL1N0YV1XK20150609|date=October 10, 2015}}, Reuters (June 9, 2015).</ref>

===International relations and security===
[[File:Jeb Bush greets John Major.jpg|thumb|right|Bush greeting British prime minister [[John Major]] in 1991, along with his father, President [[George H. W. Bush]]]]
[[File:President George H. W. Bush and Jeb Bush with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.jpg|thumb|right|Bush greeting Canadian prime minister [[Brian Mulroney]] in 1991, along with his father, President [[George H. W. Bush]]]] 
In May 2015, Bush stated that he would have ordered the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] had he been president at the time: "I would have [authorized the invasion], and so would have Hillary Clinton, just to remind everybody. And so would almost everybody that was confronted with the intelligence they got." He also indicated that the lack of focus on post-invasion security was a mistake.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/05/10/jeb-bush-says-he-would-have-invaded-iraq/|title=Jeb Bush says he would have invaded Iraq|last1=Tumulty|first1=Karen|date=May 10, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 10, 2015|archive-date=May 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513091534/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/05/10/jeb-bush-says-he-would-have-invaded-iraq/|url-status=live}}</ref> He later stated that "knowing what we know now, ...I would not have engaged". "I would not have gone into Iraq", he said. He also argued that the invasion—though perhaps inspired by faulty intelligence—had been beneficial, saying the world was "significantly safer" without Saddam Hussein in power.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/13/politics/jeb-bush-iraq-2016/|title=Jeb Bush: 'I would not have gone into Iraq' |first1=Sara |last1=Murray |first2=Maeve |last2=Reston|date=May 13, 2015|website=CNN|access-date=June 16, 2015|archive-date=June 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622001712/http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/13/politics/jeb-bush-iraq-2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Bush said that he does not support a further major commitment of U.S. troops in Iraq to fight the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIS or ISIL), saying that such a deployment is not needed to defeat ISIS.<ref name="WelnaIraq">David Welna, [https://www.npr.org/2015/08/15/432356617/jeb-bush-offers-his-perscription-for-iraq Jeb Bush Offers His Prescription For Iraq] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928120611/https://www.npr.org/2015/08/15/432356617/jeb-bush-offers-his-perscription-for-iraq|date=September 28, 2018}}, NPR ''Weekend Edition Saturday'' (August 15, 2015).</ref> He has not, however, ruled out such a deployment in the future.<ref name="WelnaIraq"/> Bush favors building a new U.S. base in Iraq's [[al-Anbar province]],<ref name=Wellford/> and has said that some U.S. troops ought to be embedded with Iraqi armed forces to help train them and identify targets as [[joint terminal attack controller]]s (JTACs).<ref name=Mullany/><ref name="WelnaIraq"/> Bush has not commented on adding to the approximately 3,500 U.S. troops in Iraq now.<ref name=Wellford/>

In a speech, Bush said his brother, former president George W. Bush, was his main adviser on policy with the Middle East. Bush later clarified that he was referring to policy on [[Israel]], rather than on the Middle East as a whole.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/one-of-jeb-bushs-top-advisers-on-israel-george-w-bush/2015/05/07/920fec8e-f4da-11e4-bcc4-e8141e5eb0c9_story.html|title=One of Jeb Bush's top advisers on Israel: George W. Bush|last1=Costa|first1=Robert|last2=Gold|first2=Matea|date=May 7, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 8, 2015|archive-date=May 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508002001/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/one-of-jeb-bushs-top-advisers-on-israel-george-w-bush/2015/05/07/920fec8e-f4da-11e4-bcc4-e8141e5eb0c9_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Murray|first1=Sara|title=Jeb: George W. Bush is a top foreign policy adviser|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/07/politics/jeb-george-w-bush-adviser/|access-date=May 11, 2015|publisher=CNN|date=May 7, 2015|archive-date=May 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510210549/http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/07/politics/jeb-george-w-bush-adviser|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bush supports the continued [[MAINWAY|collection of metadata of phone calls]] by the [[National Security Agency]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/21/bush-credits-obama-for-continuing-nsas-metadata-program/|title=Bush credits Obama for continuing NSA's metadata program|last1=O'Keefe|first1=Ed|date=April 21, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=May 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509062210/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/21/bush-credits-obama-for-continuing-nsas-metadata-program/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also supports the [[USA Patriot Act]], and criticized efforts by Senator [[Rand Paul]] and others to stop its reauthorization. Bush stated that Paul was "wrong" about the Patriot Act and stated that: "The Patriot Act has kept us safe, plain and simple. The metadata program has kept us safe, plain and simple. There's been no violation of civil liberties."<ref>Erik Schelzig, [https://news.yahoo.com/jeb-bush-says-rand-paul-wrong-ending-surveillance-013355059--election.html Jeb Bush says Rand Paul 'wrong' on ending surveillance laws] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401091805/http://news.yahoo.com/jeb-bush-says-rand-paul-wrong-ending-surveillance-013355059--election.html|date=April 1, 2016}}, Associated Press (May 31, 2015).</ref>

Bush has called for increased military spending, expressing the belief that 2.5% of GDP is an insufficient amount.<ref name="Bandow">Doug Bandow, [http://www.cato.org/blog/jeb-bush-abandons-mainstream-finds-inner-neocon Jeb Bush Abandons Mainstream, Finds Inner Neocon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910231516/http://www.cato.org/blog/jeb-bush-abandons-mainstream-finds-inner-neocon|date=September 10, 2015}}, Cato Institute (August 18, 2015).</ref><ref>James Bowen, [http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/02/19/Jeb-Bush-his-own-man-but-with-some-familiar-foreign-policy-ideas.aspx Jeb Bush his 'own man', but with some familiar foreign policy ideas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914062557/http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/02/19/Jeb-Bush-his-own-man-but-with-some-familiar-foreign-policy-ideas.aspx|date=September 14, 2015}}, ''The Interpreter'' (Lowy Institute for International Policy) (February 19, 2015).</ref>

Bush has called the April 2015 [[Iran nuclear deal framework]] a "horrific deal" and said he would likely terminate any final agreement should he become president.<ref name="Mullany"/> He has argued that the deal would put Iran into a position where it could intimidate the Middle East.<ref name=Wellford/> Bush condemned the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|July 2015 final nuclear agreement]] between Iran and the [[P5+1]] world powers, calling it "[[appeasement]]."<ref>Ben Jacobs, [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/14/jeb-bush-iran-nuclear-deal-appeasement Jeb Bush denounces Iran nuclear deal as appeasement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125102432/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/14/jeb-bush-iran-nuclear-deal-appeasement|date=January 25, 2017}}, ''Guardian'' (July 14, 2015).</ref> However, Bush stated that he would not seek to revoke the agreement on his first day in office.<ref>Eli Stokols, [https://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/jeb-bush-new-hampshire-repeal-iran-deal-day-one-120301.html Jeb Bush: I wouldn't roll back Obama's Iran deal on Day One] , ''Politico'' (July 17, 2015).</ref>

Bush supported President [[Donald Trump]]'s decision to [[United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel|recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital]]. He tweeted: "Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and I applaud @POTUS for seeing through America's promise to relocate its embassy there. This is an important show of solidarity with Israel, one of our nation's greatest allies."<ref>{{cite news|title=Florida reaction to Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel|url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/12/06/florida-reaction-to-trumps-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-capital-of-israel/|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=December 6, 2017|access-date=August 4, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802095453/https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/12/06/florida-reaction-to-trumps-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-capital-of-israel/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Civic and charitable activities==
After losing a 1994 election for Governor of Florida against Lawton Chiles, Bush pursued policy and charitable interests. He "volunteered time to assist the Miami Children's Hospital, the [[United Way of America|United Way]] of Dade County and the Dade County Homeless Trust".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oneflorida.org/myflorida/government/go%5Bhttp://www.barbarabushfoundation.com/site/c.jhLSK2PALmF/b.4344531/k.BD31/Home.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901201248/http://www.oneflorida.org/myflorida/government/go%5Bhttp://www.barbarabushfoundation.com/site/c.jhLSK2PALmF/b.4344531/k.BD31/Home.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 1, 2013|title=Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy}}</ref>

Bush served from 2012<ref name=USAtoday20140305>{{cite news|title=Bush foundation celebrates 25 years of family literacy|last=Bello|first=Marisol|date=March 5, 2014|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/05/barbara-bush-foundation-25-years-anniversary/6084981/|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=February 12, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211012040/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/05/barbara-bush-foundation-25-years-anniversary/6084981/|url-status=live}}</ref> to 2015 as co-chair of the [[Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/jeb-bush-resigns-boards-article-1.2062765|last=Larson|first=Leslie|access-date=February 12, 2015|work=New York Daily News|date=January 1, 2015|title=Jeb Bush resigns from corporate, nonprofit boards to start 2015 afresh|archive-date=March 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313090808/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/jeb-bush-resigns-boards-article-1.2062765|url-status=live}}</ref> He has also worked with The [[James Madison Institute]] (JMI), a [[free market]] public policy [[think tank]] based in [[Tallahassee, Florida]]. He helped the institute in numerous ways and still has his think tank working in conjunction with it. In June 2008, Bush's [[Foundation for Excellence in Education]] partnered with JMI to hold a summit called Excellence in Action: A National Summit on Education Reform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.excelined.org/Program/ViewPage.aspx?pr=4&pc=21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210123308/http://www.excelined.org/Program/ViewPage.aspx?pr=4&pc=21|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 10, 2008|title=Cato on "Excellence in Action: A National Summit on Education Reform"|access-date=August 23, 2008|website=Foundation for Excellence in Education}}</ref>

In 1996, The Foundation For Florida's Future published a book that Bush had co-written, ''Profiles in Character'' ({{ISBN|0-9650912-0-1}}), a clear parallel to [[John F. Kennedy]]'s 1955 book ''[[Profiles in Courage]]''. The foundation also published and distributed policy papers, such as "A New Lease on Learning: Florida's First Charter School", which Bush co-wrote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heartland.org/pdf/21111f.pdf|title=A New Lease on Learning:Florida's First Charter School (PDF)|access-date=2005-04-23|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000824141829/http://www.heartland.org/pdf/21111f.pdf|archive-date=August 24, 2000|df=mdy}}</ref> Bush subsequently wrote the foreword to another book, published by the [[Conservatism|conservative]] [[The Heritage Foundation|Heritage Foundation]] and written by Nina Shokraii Rees, ''School Choice 2000: What's Happening in the States'' ({{ISBN|0-89195-089-3}}).

Bush co-founded the first [[charter school]] in the State of Florida: Liberty City Charter School, a grades K-6 elementary school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dadeschools.net/schools/liberty_charter.htm|title=Liberty City Charter School|access-date=2005-04-16|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060404104958/http://www.dadeschools.net/schools/liberty_charter.htm|archive-date=April 4, 2006|df=mdy}}</ref> in a Miami neighborhood that, in 1980, was the site of the first major [[race riot]] since the [[Civil Rights]] era.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/895/Riot_erupts_in_Liberty_City|title=African American Registry: Riot erupts in Liberty City!|publisher=Aaregistry.com|access-date=April 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611153658/http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/895/Riot_erupts_in_Liberty_City|archive-date=June 11, 2008}}</ref> The school's co-founder, working alongside Bush, was T. Willard Fair, a local black activist and head of the Greater Miami Urban League. The Liberty City Charter School was closed in 2008 after falling more than {{USD}}1 million in debt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/16/2548465_p4/charters-schools-enrolling-low.html|title=Charter schools enrolling low number of poor students|website=[[The Miami Herald]]|date=December 16, 2011|access-date=March 21, 2013|author1=McGrory, Kathleen|author2=Hiaasen, Scott|archive-date=May 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511190930/http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/16/2548465_p4/charters-schools-enrolling-low.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2000, Bush established the Points of Light program to recognize an "exemplary volunteer, organization, or person".<ref>{{cite news|last =Berrios|first =Jerry|title =Hero in the Spotlight|work =The Miami Herald|page =1B|date =August 20, 2003}}</ref>

Bush is the honorary chairman of the Annual AT&T Jeb Bush Florida Golf Classic, a fundraiser that benefits the [[Cystic Fibrosis Foundation]]. He first became involved in the benefit after meeting with committee member Lawson Dutton, whose child suffered from cystic fibrosis.<ref>"Golf Tournament – 19th Annual AT&T Jeb Bush Florida Classic Sponsored By The Wasie Foundation Event Time & Tickets." Eventful. Eventful, Inc November 14, 2014 [http://miami.eventful.com/events/golf-tournament-19th-annual-att-jeb-bush-fl-/E0-001-070656699-5 19th annual Jeb Bush Florida Classic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402161626/http://miami.eventful.com/events/golf-tournament-19th-annual-att-jeb-bush-fl-/E0-001-070656699-5|date=April 2, 2015}}</ref> Supporters raised more than {{USD}}722,000 in 2014 at the [http://miami.eventful.com/events/golf-tournament-19th-annual-att-jeb-bush-fl-/E0-001-070656699-5 19th annual Jeb Bush Florida Classic], exceeding their goals in attendance and revenues raised.<ref name=jebcf/><ref>Abraham,  Randy. [http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-cn-beachbash-1214-20141217-story.html Fundraiser help fight cystic fibrosis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102022119/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-cn-beachbash-1214-20141217-story.html|date=January 2, 2015}} ''Sun Sentinel'',   December 17, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2015.</ref> Since the event's inception 19 years ago, the total revenue netted has reached over {{USD}}7.478 million.<ref name=jebcf>[http://jebcf.org/about-the-event/event-history Jeb Bush Florida Classic History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028135207/https://jebcf.org/about-the-event/event-history|date=October 28, 2021}}. Retrieved March 19, 2015.</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Five members of the Bush family (June 2001).jpg|thumb|left|Bush with [[Bush family|his family]], June 2001]]
In the city of [[León, Guanajuato|León]], Mexico, where he was teaching [[English language|English]] during 1970 as part of a [[Student exchange program|foreign exchange]] program, Bush met [[Columba Bush|Columba Garnica Gallo]].<ref name="CastroOcalaStar99"/> They were married on February 23, 1974, in [[Austin, Texas]].<ref name="CastroOcalaStar99"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://airwolf.lmtonline.com/news/archive/021401/pagea8.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007142035/http://airwolf.lmtonline.com/news/archive/021401/pagea8.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2007|author=Gedda, George|title=Bush has hemisphere on brain|newspaper=[[Laredo Morning Times]]|date=February 14, 2001|access-date=October 21, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://go.bloomberg.com/political-capital/2013-06-13/jeb-bushs-latin-lover-r-rated/|title=Jeb Bush's Latin 'Lover:' R-Rated – Bloomberg|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=June 13, 2013|access-date=April 8, 2014|archive-date=September 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922164630/http://go.bloomberg.com/political-capital/2013-06-13/jeb-bushs-latin-lover-r-rated/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2014, the family residence is in [[Coral Gables, Florida|Coral Gables]], Florida.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bush|first1=Jeb|title=Jeb Bush: The Things I Really Love About Florida|url=http://www.gulfshorelife.com/August-2014/jeb-bush-loves-florida-florida-state-miami-football/|website=Gulfshore Life|date=August 2014|access-date=April 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418165143/http://www.gulfshorelife.com/August-2014/jeb-bush-loves-florida-florida-state-miami-football/|archive-date=April 18, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bush is fluent in [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2014-10-07/jeb-bush-speaks-fluent-gop-in-spanishlanguage-ads|title=Jeb Bush Speaks Fluent GOP in Spanish-Language Ads|date=October 6, 2014|access-date=February 9, 2015|last=Giroux|first=Greg|archive-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211210921/http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2014-10-07/jeb-bush-speaks-fluent-gop-in-spanishlanguage-ads|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:State Funeral for George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States 181205-D-EI292-183.jpg|thumb|Bush at the [[Death and state funeral of George H. W. Bush|state funeral]] for [[George H.W. Bush|his father]] in December 2018]]
The Bushes have three children: [[George P. Bush|George Prescott]] (born April 24, 1976, in [[Texas]]),<ref name="WashPostAP07202013">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/george-p-bush-starts-small-amid-high-expectations-0|title=George P. Bush starts small, shuns idea his name, Hispanic heritage can save GOP in Texas|newspaper=Washington Post|date=July 20, 2013|access-date=May 14, 2015|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083708/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/george-p-bush-starts-small-amid-high-expectations-0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/20902?SubmitSearch.x=0&SubmitSearch.y=0&11_month=0&first=George%20Prescott&last=Bush&spelling=Exact&c=search&11_day=0&offset=20|title=Texas Births, 1926–1995|publisher=Familytreelegends.com|access-date=May 13, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305194756/http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/20902?SubmitSearch.x=0&SubmitSearch.y=0&11_month=0&first=George%20Prescott&last=Bush&spelling=Exact&c=search&11_day=0&offset=20|url-status=live}}</ref> went to [[Gulliver Preparatory School]], studied at [[Rice University]], and earned a [[Juris Doctor]] degree from the [[University of Texas School of Law]]. In the 2014 election, he was elected Commissioner of the [[Texas General Land Office]].<ref name="WashPostAP07202013"/> Noelle Lucila Bush (born 1977) is his only daughter. In November 2015, while campaigning in New Hampshire, Bush detailed Noelle's struggles with drug abuse.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Cassie|last1=Spodak|first2=Ashley|last2=Killough|first3=Heather|last3=Goldin|title=Jeb Bush opens up about daughter's drug addiction - CNNPolitics|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/05/politics/jeb-bush-daughter-drug-addiction/index.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=CNN|date=November 5, 2015|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916052448/https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/05/politics/jeb-bush-daughter-drug-addiction/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Parker|first1=Ashley|title=Jeb Bush Drops Guard to Share Family Account of Addiction|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/us/politics/jeb-bush-drops-guard-to-share-family-account-of-addiction.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FBush%2C%20Noelle&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection|access-date=13 February 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 5, 2016|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214061730/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/us/politics/jeb-bush-drops-guard-to-share-family-account-of-addiction.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FBush%2C%20Noelle&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection|url-status=live}}</ref> His other son, Jeb Bush Jr. (born 1983), who attended [[Bolles School]],<ref name="CastroOcalaStar99"/> works for a [[Miami]], [[Florida]], commercial real estate firm. Bush has four grandchildren, two through his elder son, and two through his younger son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/02/jeb-bush-granddaughter_n_4532711.html|title=Jeb Bush Welcomes Birth Of New Granddaughter, Vivian Alexandra Columba|website=The Huffington Post|date=January 2, 2014|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529121340/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/02/jeb-bush-granddaughter_n_4532711.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1995, Bush converted from [[Anglicanism|Episcopalianism]] to Catholicism.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeb Bush, Catholic Convert. Will His Brother Convert?|url=http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=34357|date=September 2, 2009|publisher=Catholic.org|access-date=August 8, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905224016/http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=34357|archive-date=September 5, 2012}}</ref> In 2004, he became a Fourth Degree [[Knights of Columbus|Knight of Columbus]].<ref>{{cite web|title=President Discusses Compassionate Conservative Agenda in Dallas|url=http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1556/~/acf-messenger-archive%3A-president-discusses-compassionate-conservative-agenda-in|access-date=August 8, 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Bush, a member of Father Hugon Council 3521 in Tallahassee, has joined the Father Hugon Assembly.<ref>{{cite web|title=KofC: Southeast – Florida|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/knightsinaction/detail/226718.html|publisher=Knights of Columbus|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108175150/http://www.kofc.org/un/en/knightsinaction/detail/226718.html|archive-date=January 8, 2015}}</ref>

In April 2018, upon his mother [[Barbara Bush]]'s death, Bush delivered a eulogy on behalf of the family at her funeral.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2018/04/21/barbara-bush-to-be-honored-by-friends-and-family-at-private-funeral-in-houston/|title='The first lady of the greatest generation': Barbara Bush honored by friends and family at private funeral in Houston|last=Shaban|first=Hamza|date=2018-04-21|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=2018-04-21|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=April 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421174907/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2018/04/21/barbara-bush-to-be-honored-by-friends-and-family-at-private-funeral-in-houston/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin no change|title=1994 Florida gubernatorial election<ref>{{cite web|url=https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate%3D11%2F8%2F1994%26DATAMODE%3D|title=Florida Department of State - Election Results|access-date=2011-03-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718142804/https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11%2F8%2F1994&DATAMODE=|archive-date=2011-07-18}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
|party     =Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate =[[Lawton Chiles]] (incumbent)
|votes     =2,135,008
|percentage=50.75%
  
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
|party     =Republican Party (United States)
|candidate =Jeb Bush
|votes     =2,071,068
|percentage=49.23%
 
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change|
|votes     =583
|percentage=0.0%
  
}}
{{Election box majority no change|
|votes     =63,940
|percentage=1.52%
  
}}
{{Election box turnout no change|
|votes     =4,206,659
|percentage=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change|
|winner=Democratic Party (United States)
|swing=
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=1998 Florida gubernatorial election<ref>{{cite web|url=https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/3/1998&DATAMODE=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522144819/https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11%2F3%2F1998&DATAMODE=|url-status=dead|title=Florida Department of State - Election Results|archivedate=May 22, 2012}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
|party     =Republican Party (United States)
|candidate =Jeb Bush
|votes     =2,191,105
|percentage=55.27%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
|party     =Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate =[[Buddy MacKay]]
|votes     =1,773,054
|percentage=44.72%
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change|
|votes     =282
|percentage=0.01%
}}
{{Election box total no change|
|votes     =3,964,441
|percentage=100.00%
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no change|
|winner    =Republican Party (United States)
|loser     =Democratic Party (United States)
|swing     =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2002 Florida gubernatorial election<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2002&fips=12&f=0&off=5&elect=0|title=2002 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Florida|access-date=2008-05-22|website=Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|archive-date=September 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904030516/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2002&fips=12&f=0&off=5&elect=0|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|
|party     =Republican Party (United States)
|candidate =Jeb Bush (incumbent)
|votes     =2,856,845
|percentage=56.0
|change    =+0.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|
|party     =Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate =[[Bill McBride (candidate)|Bill McBride]]
|votes     =2,201,427
|percentage=43.2
|change    =-1.5
}}
{{Election box candidate no change|
|party     =[[Independent (politician)|No Party Affiliation]]
|candidate =[[Bob Kunst]]
|votes     =42,039
|percentage=0.8
|change    =+0.8
}}
{{Election box candidate no change|
|party     =[[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
|candidate  =
|votes     =270
|percentage=0.01
|change    =+0.0
}}
{{Election box majority no change|
|votes     =655,418
|percentage=12.8
|change    =+2.3
}}
{{Election box turnout no change|
|votes     =5,100,581
|percentage=54.8
|change    =+6.6
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change|
|winner    =Republican Party (US)
|swing     =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title=Cumulative results of the [[2016 Republican Party presidential primaries]]
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Donald Trump]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=14,015,993
| percentage=44.95%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Ted Cruz]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=7,822,100
| percentage=25.08%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[John Kasich]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=4,290,448
| percentage=13.76%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Marco Rubio]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=3,515,576
| percentage=11.27%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Ben Carson]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=857,039
| percentage=2.75%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=Jeb Bush
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=286,694
| percentage=0.92%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Rand Paul]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=66,788
| percentage=0.21%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Mike Huckabee]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=51,450
| percentage=0.16%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Carly Fiorina]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=40,666
| percentage=0.13%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Chris Christie]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=57,637
| percentage=0.18%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Jim Gilmore]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=18,369
| percentage=0.06%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Rick Santorum]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=16,627
| percentage=0.05%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title=[[2016 Republican National Convention]] delegate count
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Donald Trump]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=1,441
| percentage=58.3%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Ted Cruz]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=551
| percentage=22.3%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Marco Rubio]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=173
| percentage=7.0%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[John Kasich]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=161
| percentage=6.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Ben Carson]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=9
| percentage=0.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=Jeb Bush
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=4
| percentage=0.2%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Rand Paul]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=1
| percentage=<0.01%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Mike Huckabee]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=1
| percentage=<0.01%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate=[[Carly Fiorina]]
| party=Republican Party (United States)
| votes=1
| percentage=<0.01%
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|first1=Jeb|last1=Bush|first2=Brian|last2=Yablonski|title=Profiles in Character|isbn=978-0-9650912-0-6|year=1996|publisher=Foundation for Floridas Future|url=https://archive.org/details/profilesincharac00bush}}
*{{cite book|first1=Clint|last1=Bolick|first2=Jeb|last2=Bush|title=Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution|isbn=978-1-4767-1346-5|year=2013|publisher=New York: Simon & Schuster|title-link=Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
*[[Fred Barnes (journalist)|Barnes, Fred]]. [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/293ppytu.asp "Governor in Chief: Jeb Bush's remarkable eight years of achievement in Florida."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822130045/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/293ppytu.asp|date=August 22, 2006}} ''The Weekly Standard'', June 12, 2006.
*Freedberg, Sydney P. "Jeb Bush: The Son Rises Away from Dad's Shadow." ''[[The Miami Herald]]'', August 15, 1994.
*[[Arianna Huffington|Huffington, Arianna]]. [http://www.salon.com/news/col/huff/2002/09/16/war_on_drugs/ "The latest Bush hypocrisy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050222091211/http://www.salon.com/news/col/huff/2002/09/16/war_on_drugs/|date=February 22, 2005}}. [[Salon.com]], September 16, 2002.
*Viglucci, Andres and Alfonso Chardy. [https://web.archive.org/web/20030219200630/http://www.miami.com/mld/miami/4221945.htm "Bush and business: Fast success, brushes with mystery"]. ''The Miami Herald'', October 5, 2002.
*Yardley, William. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050301101509/http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/4124298.htm "Jeb Bush: His early values shape his politics."] ''The Miami Herald'', September 22, 2002.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|author=yes|b=no|n=no|s=no|v=no|wikt=no}}
*{{Official website|https://www.jeb2016.com/}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150104085935/http://www.museumoffloridahistory.com/resources/collections/governors/about.cfm?id=50 Official governor's portrait and biography] at the [[Museum of Florida History]]
*[http://www.biography.com/people/jeb-bush-201294 Jeb Bush] at [[Biography.com]]
*{{C-SPAN|4776}}
*{{CongLinks|votesmart=17340}}
*[http://www.politifact.com/personalities/jeb-bush/ Jeb Bush's file] at [[PolitiFact.com]]
*[http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/elections-2016/jeb-bush/ Jeb Bush] collected news and commentary at the ''[[Miami Herald]]''
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141219092124/http://www.tampabay.com/topics/people/jeb-bush.page Jeb Bush] collected news and commentary at the ''[[Tampa Bay Times]]''
*{{NYTtopic|people/b/jeb_bush}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bob Martinez]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[List of Governors of Florida|Governor of Florida]]|years=[[1994 Florida gubernatorial election|1994]], [[1998 Florida gubernatorial election|1998]], [[2002 Florida gubernatorial election|2002]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Charlie Crist]]}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Buddy MacKay]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Governors of Florida|Governor of Florida]]|years=1999–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Charlie Crist]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bob Martinez]]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Charlie Crist]]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-end}}

{{United States presidential election, 2016}}
{{Governors of Florida}}
{{RepNomFlGov}}
{{Bush family}}
{{George H. W. Bush}}
{{George W. Bush}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bush, Jeb}}
[[Category:Jeb Bush| ]]
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