Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush announces 2016 presidential campaign

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Almost exactly six months after announcing on social media that he would “actively explore” a run for the White House, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) has finally launched his official presidential campaign.

“I’ve decided I am a candidate for president of the United States of America!” Bush declared excitedly to massive chants of “Jeb!” from his audience at Miami Dade College in Florida Monday afternoon.

Bush committed himself to creating economic growth “that makes a difference for everyone,” championing his successes as governor in the state of Florida. He declared that, as president, he would transform America into “an economic superpower like no other.”

During his remarks, Bush also complained of the culture of the nation’s capital, separating himself from the so-called political class in Washington.

“We don’t need another president who merely holds the top spot among the pampered elites of Washington,” Jeb said. “We need a president willing to challenge and disrupt the whole culture in our nation’s capital. I will be that president because I was a reforming governor, not just another member of the club.”

The Republican candidate for the White House took a specific jab at Democratic contender Hillary Clinton, slamming her for her recent comments on abortion.

“These have been rough years for religious charities and their right of conscience. And the leading Democratic candidate recently hinted of more trouble to come. Secretary Clinton insists that when the progressive agenda encounters religious beliefs to the contrary, those beliefs, quote, ‘have to be changed.’ That’s what she said, and I guess we should at least thank her for the warning,” Bush said, provoking loud boos from the crowd.

Bush also spoke of his family, acknowledging his mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, and touching on the day he met his wife.

“In any language, my message will be an optimistic one because I am certain that we can make the decades just ahead the greatest time ever to be alive in this world,” Bush concluded his speech, which also included a few lines in Spanish.

In advance of his speech, the Bush campaign released a video Sunday entitled “Making a Difference” that spotlights his accomplishments as the 43rd governor of Florida.

Like Hillary Clinton’s April video announcement, Jeb’s recording features regular Americans — in his case, Floridians — telling their stories before the presidential candidate himself appears on screen.

“What we need is new leadership that takes conservative principles and applies them so that people can rise up,” Bush says in the video. “America’s best days are in front of us and we’re going to lead the world.”

Bush also unveiled his 2016 campaign logo — “Jeb!” — which bears close resemblance to the logo he used when running for governor of Florida in 1998.

Many have noted that the logo notably excludes his last name which he, of course, shares with his father and brother, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

After his official campaign launch, Bush will embark on trips to New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina between Tuesday and Thursday. The former Florida lawmaker will visit 11 cities before the end of June.

Jeb joins 10 other Republican contenders as he enters the 2016 presidential race.