Jeb Bush offered his strongest signal yet that he is running for president in 2016 as his political action committee announced more than $100,000 in donations to congressional Republicans who hail from the crucial early primary states.
The former Florida governor, through his Right to Rise PAC, all but made a blunt declaration of his intent to seek the White House through contributions of $5,200 each to Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Rep. Frank Guinta of New Hampshire, Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada, and Rep. David Young of Iowa, as well as donations of $10,000 each to the state Republican parties of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.
The PAC also delivered $5,200 each to Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio; and Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia, all of whom are running for re-election in battleground states. The Bush PAC’s announced contributions totaled $122,800 across all categories.
Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina hold the first three nominating contests of the 2016 primary, in that order. Greasing local politicians and the party apparatus is standard practice for presidential candidates serious about competing.
“I’m proud to support great conservative candidates who are committed to renewing America’s promise by expanding opportunity and igniting upward mobility in our country,” said Bush, Right to Rise PAC’s honorary chairman. “In the coming months, our PAC will continue to support conservative candidates and conservative policies that will ensure all Americans have the right to rise.”
Bush also appeared to use his first round of donations to extend his reach and send a political message about the kind of campaign he intends to run. In addition to the predictable early state giving, Right to Rise contributed $5,200 each to four freshmen lawmakers: Rep. Mia Love of Utah, Congress’ only African-American Republican woman; Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York, Congress’ only Jewish Republican; Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the youngest female Republican ever to serve and considered a rising star in the party; and Rep. Martha McSally of Arizona, a military veteran.
