Jeb Bush was born on February 11, 1953, in Midland, Texas. He grew up in Houston, later moving to Tanglewood. At 14, he started at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Despite academic struggles, he graduated and pursued a Latin American affairs degree at the University of Texas. In 1980, he joined his father’s successful presidential campaign. Bush entered Florida politics, becoming Secretary of Commerce in 1986.
In 1994, he narrowly lost the gubernatorial election. In ’98, he triumphed and became Florida’s first two-term Republican governor. Bush focused on Everglades conservation, medical malpractice caps, Medicaid privatization, and education reforms. He pushed vouchers and school choice.
In 2015, Bush ran for president but suspended his campaign in 2016. He endorsed Ted Cruz. Bush’s political career was marked by conservative fiscal policies. He faced criticism for his stance on immigration and Common Core.
Bush’s early career involved banking and real estate. He worked in Venezuela, later moving to Miami. Bush lobbied for a health maintenance organization, and controversies arose over his ties.
Post-governorship, Bush joined corporate boards and earned from Wall Street. He served on the National Assessment Governing Board and supported Common Core.
Family-wise, Bush married Columba Garnica Gallo in 1974. They have three children and four grandchildren. Bush converted to Catholicism in 1995.
Despite political setbacks, Bush remains a figure with influence in and beyond Florida.
