Jeb Bush Trots Out Endorsements of Former Florida House Speakers

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., might have served as speaker of the Florida House but Republican presidential rival former Gov. Jeb Bush reeled in the support of several leaders from the Sunshine State who led that chamber in Tallahassee. 

On Thursday, Bush announced the support of U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., who led the Florida House and other former speakers including former U.S. Rep. Tom Foley, R-Fla., who is now the president and CEO of the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), Allen Bense, Dean Cannon, Larry Cretul and Will Weatherford. Former House Speaker John Thrasher, now the president of Florida State University (FSU) is also on the Bush bandwagon. So is current state House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island. 

"I've known Jeb Bush for three decades, served alongside him in Florida, and witnessed his tenacious, hands-on approach to government reform," Thrasher said on Thursday. "Jeb has strong executive experience and it is an honor to endorse him as a principled leader with a proven conservative record."

Cannon also stressed Bush’s record in Tallahassee, insisting the former governor was a conservative. 

"Jeb Bush's conservative record as governor is second to none," Cannon said. "He is exactly who our country needs as president."