Jeb Bush will officially launch his presidential campaign on June 15, but the former Florida governor began raising money for “Jeb 2016, Inc.” on Thursday, inviting successful bundlers to a special event at the Bush family compound in Maine in July.
In an email obtained by the Washington Examiner, Bush bundler Alfred Hoffman, Jr., tells the recipient of the communication that he’s been authorized to immediately begin collecting checks to fund the governor’s presidential primary campaign and requests a donation of $2,700, the maximum allowed under federal law for declared candidates. Hoffman goes on to write that if the recipient is successful in bundling checks from 10 individuals for $2,700 each, for a total of $27,000, he or she will “personally” be invited to “very special event in Kennebunkport, Maine, on July 9.
Bush announced Thursday that he would reveal his plans for the 2016 presidential contest on June 15, with an event in his hometown of Miami on the campus of Miami Dade College, followed by a campaign swing through the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. Until now, Bush has been on the campaign trail raising money for his political action committee and super PAC, both called “Right to Rise.” The name of Bush’s campaign committee is presumably “Jeb 2016, Inc.,” although no such committee was registered with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday.
Below is a copy of the Hoffman fundraising email:
I am thrilled beyond words to tell you that Jeb will be making a special announcement on June 15th. This is the moment we have all been waiting for and I am sure you know just what it is!
I have been authorized to start collecting checks for his efforts and would be so appreciative if you both would write a check for $2,700 each. This is the maximum you can donate per person for the primary election. Please make the check out to JEB 2016, INC and mail it to me at his office: Jeb 2016 c/o xxxxx, P.O. Box 440641, Miami, FL 33144. I have attached the contribution form if you wish to contribute with a credit card. Please email this form to xxxxx.
As you know this will be a long road and we will only be successful with your continued support and commitment. We also encourage you to talk to as many people as you can to raise awareness and funds for this effort. If you are able to bring in 10 people to contribute $2,700 each for a total of $27,000 you will be personally invited to a very special event in Kennebunkport, Maine on July 9th.
We are on our way to getting the right man elected and I can’t thank you enough for your help.
Disclosure: The author’s wife works as an advisor to Scott Walker.
