Jeb Bush

Jeb Bush served as governor of Florida from 1999-2007. During his administration, Governor Bush pushed for dramatic reforms in Florida's public education system and promoted school choice to give parents with children in failing schools access to better schools. Florida became the first state in the nation to adopt a statewide voucher program and Governor Bush nearly tripled the number of charter schools, making his state a pioneer in school choice. Thanks to Governor Bush's education reforms, high school graduation rates in Florida have increased by nearly 50 percent. Governor Bush also cut taxes, enacted meaningful legal reform and streamlined regulations to jump-start Florida's economy. During the final seven years of Governor Bush's tenure, Florida led the nation in job creation. The state also led the nation in small business creation as 1.3 million new jobs were created. In 2004-2005, Jeb Bush's leadership skills were tested as the state was pounded by an unprecedented eight hurricanes, inflicting an estimated $70 billion of damage. Governor Bush was widely praised for providing a strong response to these natural disasters and bringing his state together during a true crisis. Jeb Bush has also compiled a distinguished career in business, building one of Florida's largest commercial real estate companies and investing in new industries and start-up companies. He and his wife, Columba, reside in Coral Gables, Florida and are the parents of three children, George, Noelle and Jeb, Jr.