When George P. Bush, the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, nephew and grandson of two presidents named George Bush, filed to be a statewide candidate in Texas for 2014, speculation started as to which office he might seek.
Fox News Latino is suggesting that Bush may run for Texas land commissioner, a good first step on the modern Texas version of the cursus honorum. However the Texas Tribune makes a good case that the young Bush may try to emulate his more famous uncle and try to be governor.
Bush for Texas land commissioner
While Bush has not yet decided which statewide office he would like to run for, Texas land commissioner makes a lot of sense for him as an entry-level political office, according to Fox News. The current land commissioner, Jerry Patterson, is running for Texas lieutenant governor in 2014, leaving the office open. The duties of the Texas land commissioner include the management of Texas land and resources, which could position Bush for high profile fights with President Barack Obama's Environmental Protection Agency, which has taken a more activist role as of late, a political winner in Texas.
Bush for governor of Texas
The case for Bush becoming governor of Texas in his first run for public office rests on precedence, according to the Texas Tribune. While George W. Bush made an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1978, his first run for the statewide office in 1994 against then-Gov. Ann Richards met with success. Ted Cruz, another Republican Hispanic, had not been in any elected office when he successfully ran for the United States Senate, beating out Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Bush has the advantage of having a name that is still potent in Texas politics and of having qualities that are desired by Republicans, being young, Hispanic, and a conservative.
Bush's youth weighs on his decision
The primary factor weighing on which office Bush will run for lays in his youth. Politico mentions that while he has some experience in the military and in behind-the-scenes politico work, Bush is still 36, young to seek the top executive job in Texas. Also, were he to run for the top job, he would have stiffer competition than if he were to start as land commissioner. Rick Perry, the current governor, may decide to run again. Texas attorney general Greg Abbott is said to be eyeing the governorship. Bush, by the way, may run for attorney general should Abbott run for governor.
If Bush runs for governor, he has a better chance of losing than if he were to run for a lower statewide office. The bottom line is that, as he is younger than 40, Bush has time to build up a record as he climbs up the greasy pole of politics.
Texas resident Mark Whittington writes about state issues for the Yahoo! Contributor Network.
