Former Gov. Jeb Bush has been one of the leading political personalities in Florida over the last five years despite not holding or officially running for office during that time.
By the time Sunshine State News came along, Bush had already left a giant footprint on the Sunshine State. The $8 billion plan to revive the Everglades was the most ambitious ecosystem restoration effort in history. The Central Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) was one of Bushs key priorities as governor. Later, his attempt to wean Florida off dependency on a primarily tourism-based economy and create a leading biotech network -- something that one day would eclipse North Carolina's Research Triangle -- was an ambitious feat few governors would have attempted.
Now, more than 16 years after he was elected governor, Bushs fingerprints are still all over Florida politics. His governorship helped usher in the GOP domination of Tallahassee with firm control of the Legislature and state Cabinet offices. Through his Foundation for Floridas Future, Bush continues to shape education policy in the Sunshine State just as his Foundation for Excellence in Education does at the national level.
Conservatives across Florida might be increasingly up in arms about Common Core and high-stakes testing but, despite some efforts, Tallahassee is not exactly chomping at the bit to make drastic changes. Thats a sign of Bushs continued importance on education issues in Florida. So is the continued importance of school choice in general and charter schools in particular to education in the Sunshine State.
Bush remains important in Florida politics but he has made his share of missteps over the last five years. For example, in 2010, he backed then-state Attorney General Bill McCollum over Rick Scott in the primary.
But, on the whole, Bushs endorsement is one of the most important ones Florida Republicans can snag before contested primaries. Based on all the polls, he remains popular with Florida Republicans, even as he opposes conservatives on Common Core and immigration reform.
Bush is counting on that popularity with Florida Republicans in the months to come. Over the last five years, his presidential prospects have garnered a great deal of attention. While he sat out 2012, he was shrewd to announce the formation of a presidential exploratory committee in December, beating other Republican hopefuls to the punch and effectively chasing former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., out of the race.
Unlike his father in 1988 or his brother in 2000, Bush doesnt come into the race as the undisputed favorite. His positions on Common Core and immigration will weigh him down in some of the primaries and caucuses. Americans are looking for a fresh face in the White House and, whatever the former Florida governors merits, a third Bush is far from that.
But Bush certainly brings some assets to the table, including large financial support and being strong back home, Florida still being the largest swing state in any presidential election. Conservatives often fail to recognize how deeply ingrained the Bush family is to many Republican voters. The last time a Republican presidential candidate was elected without a Bush on the ticket was all the way back in 1972.
Even without preparing for a run at the presidency, Bush shaped Florida politics considerably over the last five years. His influence, especially on education issues, continues to be felt in Tallahassee and Florida Republicans continue to bear his stamp.
(ABOUT THIS SERIES: Jeb Bush is the 18th in a special anniversary series of 20 political personalities who loomed large since early 2010, when Sunshine State News set up shop in Tallahassee.Who else made the list? Click here to find out.)
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
