Jeb Bush Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
Updated 9:30 AM EST, Thu February 4, 2021
01:09 - Source: WFOR
Jeb Bush to Trump: Stop making false statements
Jeb Bush Jamie Gangel interview
CNN
Jeb Bush Jamie Gangel interview
Now playing
01:09
Jeb Bush to Trump: Stop making false statements
how jeb bush describes himself origwx bw_00000112.jpg
how jeb bush describes himself origwx bw_00000112.jpg
Now playing
01:02
Jeb Bush has a way with words
Now playing
01:51
Jeb Bush suspends campaign: What went wrong?
COLUMBIA, SC - FEBRUARY 20: Jeb Bush reacts as he announces the suspension of his presidential campaign at an election night party at the Hilton Columbia Center in Columbia, SC on February 20, 2016. Donald Trump won decisively in the South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary, the "first in the south." (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
Mark Makela/Getty Images
COLUMBIA, SC - FEBRUARY 20: Jeb Bush reacts as he announces the suspension of his presidential campaign at an election night party at the Hilton Columbia Center in Columbia, SC on February 20, 2016. Donald Trump won decisively in the South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary, the "first in the south." (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
Now playing
06:43
Jeb Bush's emotional South Carolina speech
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush addresses the Republican Jewish Coalition at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center December 3, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Alex Wong/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush addresses the Republican Jewish Coalition at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center December 3, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Now playing
01:10
Report pokes holes in Jeb Bush's NRA award story
NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 21: Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush speaks during the LIBRE Initiative Fourm at the College of Southern Nevada on October 21, 2015 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Bush said earlier in the day if elected president, he'd try to move the Interior Department's headquarters to the West, closer to the needs of the community. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 21: Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush speaks during the LIBRE Initiative Fourm at the College of Southern Nevada on October 21, 2015 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Bush said earlier in the day if elected president, he'd try to move the Interior Department's headquarters to the West, closer to the needs of the community. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Now playing
01:42
Jeb Bush: Mr. Nice Guy?
Members of the Bush family
Members of the Bush family
Now playing
01:44
The Bush family and Iraq
Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks at a town hall meeting at the Valley View Recreation Center on June 27, 2015 in Henderson, Nevada.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks at a town hall meeting at the Valley View Recreation Center on June 27, 2015 in Henderson, Nevada.
Now playing
01:39
Jeb Bush's unpolished moments
jeb bush impersonates donald trump sot_00000709.jpg
jeb bush impersonates donald trump sot_00000709.jpg
Now playing
00:41
Jeb Bush impersonates Donald Trump
Now playing
02:27
28 years of Bushes announcing presidential campaigns
CNN —  

Here’s a look at the life of Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida.

Personal

Birth date: February 11, 1953

Birth place: Midland, Texas

Birth name: John Ellis Bush

Father: George H.W. Bush, 41st president of the United States

Mother: Barbara (Pierce) Bush

Marriage: Columba (Garnica Gallo) Bush (February 23, 1974-present)

Children: John Ellis “Jeb” Jr., 1983; Noelle Lucilla, 1977; George Prescott, 1976

Education: University of Texas, B.A. in Latin American Studies, 1974

Religion: Catholic (converted - was Episcopalian)

Other Facts

Second-oldest son of former President George H.W. Bush and younger brother of former President George W. Bush.

Speaks fluent Spanish.

Known for his Florida education reform: introducing a school voucher program, supporting charter schools, implementing the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), and banning using race as a factor in university admissions.

Timeline

1980 - Moves to Florida and begins working in real estate development.

1987-1988 - Florida Commerce Secretary.

1988 - Resigns as commerce secretary to help his father with his presidential campaign.

1989-1993 - Father George H.W. Bush serves as the 41st president.

1994 - Loses the gubernatorial race to Governor Lawton Chiles (D-FL).

1995 - Founds the Foundation for Florida’s Future.

January 5, 1999-January 2, 2007 - Republican Governor of Florida.

2001-2009 - Older brother George W. Bush serves as the 43rd president.

November 5, 2002 - With 56% of the vote, becomes the first Republican governor to win reelection in Florida.

2007 - Forms Jeb Bush & Associates, a consulting firm.

2008 - Launches the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd), based in Tallahassee, Florida. Bush is announced as chairman and president of the board in May 2016.

March 2013 - Bush’s book “Immigration Wars,” written with Clint Bolick, is published.

December 14, 2014 - During an interview, Bush says that he will release 250,000 emails from his two terms in office as Florida governor and will publish an eBook outlining his governing philosophy.

December 16, 2014 - In a Facebook post, Bush states, “I have decided to actively explore the possibility of running for President of the United States.”

January 1, 2015 - An aide confirms to CNN that Bush has resigned from all of his corporate and nonprofit board memberships, including forestry company Rayonier Inc., the board at Tenet Healthcare Corporation, and the board of British bank Barclays.

January 6, 2015 - Bush launches a new political action committee that allows him to lay the groundwork for a presidential run.

March 11, 2015 - Bush announces he is selling his ownership stakes in his remaining business interests: Jeb Bush and Associates, and Britton Hill.

June 15, 2015 - Bush formally kicks off his presidential campaign with an announcement during an appearance at Miami Dade College.

June 30, 2015 - Releases 33 years of tax returns.

February 20, 2016 - Following a disappointing finish in the South Carolina primary, Bush suspends his presidential campaign.

March 23, 2016 - Endorses Ted Cruz for the Republican presidential nomination.

September 2018 - Bush is named a Presidential Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania for the 2018-2019 school year.

March 11, 2019 - The nonprofit Campaign Legal Center posts a settlement agreement online showing the FEC fined the Jeb Bush super PAC Right to Rise $390,000 for soliciting a contribution from a foreign national and the American Pacific International Capital $550,000 for making the contribution.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush waves as he takes the stage as he formally announces he is joining the race for president with a speech June 15, 2015, at Miami Dade College in Miami.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: David Goldman/AP
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush waves as he takes the stage as he formally announces he is joining the race for president with a speech June 15, 2015, at Miami Dade College in Miami.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush shakes hands with attendees after speaking at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference on February 27 in National Harbor, Maryland.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush shakes hands with attendees after speaking at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference on February 27 in National Harbor, Maryland.
Bush takes a selfie with a guest at a luncheon hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on February 18 in Chicago. Bush delivered his first major foreign policy speech at the event.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Bush takes a selfie with a guest at a luncheon hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on February 18 in Chicago. Bush delivered his first major foreign policy speech at the event.
Bush hands out items for Holiday Food Baskets to those in need outside the Little Havana offices of CAMACOL, the Latin American Chamber of Commerce on December 17 in Miami.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Bush hands out items for Holiday Food Baskets to those in need outside the Little Havana offices of CAMACOL, the Latin American Chamber of Commerce on December 17 in Miami.
Bush waves to the audience at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012, on the final day of the Republican National Convention.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Image
Bush waves to the audience at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012, on the final day of the Republican National Convention.
Bush (left) and wife Columba Bush attend the 2012 Lincoln Center Institute Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on March 7, 2012, in New York City.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Bush (left) and wife Columba Bush attend the 2012 Lincoln Center Institute Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on March 7, 2012, in New York City.
President Barack Obama (left) speaks about Bush (center) while visiting Miami Central Senior High School on March 4, 2011 in Miami, Florida. The visit focused on education.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
President Barack Obama (left) speaks about Bush (center) while visiting Miami Central Senior High School on March 4, 2011 in Miami, Florida. The visit focused on education.
Bush (left) speaks with Brazilian President in charge Jose Alancar during a meeting at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, April 17, 2007. Bush was in Brazil to speak about sugar and ethanol business.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty Images
Bush (left) speaks with Brazilian President in charge Jose Alancar during a meeting at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, April 17, 2007. Bush was in Brazil to speak about sugar and ethanol business.
Then-Texas Governor Rick Perry (center) testifies as Bush (right) and then-Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano (left) listen during a hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill October 19, 2005.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Then-Texas Governor Rick Perry (center) testifies as Bush (right) and then-Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano (left) listen during a hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill October 19, 2005.
Bush gives a thumbs up signal from his car as he leaves a local polling station after casting his vote in Coral Gables, Florida, November 5, 2002.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Bush gives a thumbs up signal from his car as he leaves a local polling station after casting his vote in Coral Gables, Florida, November 5, 2002.
Bush walks out of the West Wing after meeting with his brother, then-President George W. Bush, at the White House January 9, 2002. Governor Bush participated in the signing ceremony of the Everglades Protection Agreement.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Bush walks out of the West Wing after meeting with his brother, then-President George W. Bush, at the White House January 9, 2002. Governor Bush participated in the signing ceremony of the Everglades Protection Agreement.
Then-Mexican President Vincente Fox (left) and Bush hold a press conference September 7, 2001, in Miami. Fox visited Florida to attend the Americas Conference and deliver a speech to speak about issues such as immigration.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Then-Mexican President Vincente Fox (left) and Bush hold a press conference September 7, 2001, in Miami. Fox visited Florida to attend the Americas Conference and deliver a speech to speak about issues such as immigration.
Then-President George W. Bush (right) is greeted by Jeb Bush on March 21, 2001, at Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida. President Bush was in Orlando to attend the American College of Cardiology Annual Convention.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Luke Frazza/AFP/Getty Images
Then-President George W. Bush (right) is greeted by Jeb Bush on March 21, 2001, at Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida. President Bush was in Orlando to attend the American College of Cardiology Annual Convention.
Bush speaks during a press conference at the Carandolet Government Palace in Quito, January 18, 2006. Bush and a businessmen delegation were in a two-day visit to talk about a free trade agreement.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Rodrigo Buendia/AFP/Getty Images
Bush speaks during a press conference at the Carandolet Government Palace in Quito, January 18, 2006. Bush and a businessmen delegation were in a two-day visit to talk about a free trade agreement.
Bush speaks to reporters after meeting with the Florida State Cabinet at the Florida State Capitol Building November 16, 2000, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Bush speaks to reporters after meeting with the Florida State Cabinet at the Florida State Capitol Building November 16, 2000, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Then-President George W. Bush (left) and Jeb Bush (right), raise their arms onstage following a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds, October 25, 2000, in Brandon, Florida.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Paul Buck/AFP/Getty Images
Then-President George W. Bush (left) and Jeb Bush (right), raise their arms onstage following a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds, October 25, 2000, in Brandon, Florida.
Jeb Bush (left) and then-President George W. Bush stand with their arms around each other's shoulders at a rally in Miami, Florida, September 22, 2000.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Tannen Maury/AFP/Getty Images
Jeb Bush (left) and then-President George W. Bush stand with their arms around each other's shoulders at a rally in Miami, Florida, September 22, 2000.
Then-President George W. Bush (right) and Jeb Bush go through the line for strawberries during a stop at the Stawberry Festival March 12, 2000 in Plant City, Florida.
Photos: Jeb Bush's life
PHOTO: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images