Governor Branstad is surprised that Florida Governor Jeb Bush has announced his potential candidacy for President so early.
But Branstad says he’s been hearing rumors about it for some time.
Jeb Bush revealed on social media Tuesday that he is “actively exploring a campaign for the 2016 Republican nomination.”
Bush held a fundraiser for Branstad in Florida in May.
“I have a lot of respect for him,” Branstad says, “but I also have a lot of respect for Governor Christie, Governor Jindal, former Governor Huckabee, and in Texas, Governor Perry.”
Branstad says the Bush family has a long history of grassroots campaigning in Iowa, going back to the 1980 caucuses when George H. W. Bush took first place. Branstad recalls that the senior Bush, his wife, and his sons, including Jeb, campaigned in all 99 counties.
In the announcement, Bush says he discussed a potential candidacy with his family over the Thanksgiving holiday.
“We’ve been hearing rumors for some time that he was seriously thinking about it,” Branstad says. “It sounds like he's made some progress with his mother. I heard that this morning. I had that issue with my wife, so I know how those things go.”
According to published reports, Barbara Bush opposed another presidential candidacy in the family. Branstad says he did not discuss the 2016 contest with Jeb Bush ahead of Tuesday’s announcement.
