GOP Presidential Prospects Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney to Meet in Utah
— -- Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney, two potential 2016 presidential candidates, will meet in Utah, an aide to Bush confirmed.
“This meeting has been on the books for some time,” Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell told ABC News in a statement. "Gov. Bush is very much looking forward to the opportunity to catch up and visit with Gov. Romney. He respects him very much."
The scheduled meeting was first reported by The New York Times, which noted that it could mean the two former governors will discuss avoiding an intra-party showdown. Both Bush and Romney appeal to the establishment wing of the Republican Party and, therefore, compete heavily not just for similar voters, but donors, as well.
Bush, the former Florida governor, was seen waiting at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, Thursday morning, posing for photos with airline staff members, and then and boarding a flight to Salt Lake City, according to ABC News producer Richard Coolidge who was also on the flight.
At the time, Bush wouldn’t confirm the reported meeting, citing his “respect” for Romney. He added jokingly that he was headed to Utah to ski.
Last month, Bush announced he would "actively explore the possibility of running for president of the United States,” and several weeks later he launched a political action committee to fund travel related to his possible run, as well as a place for supportive donors to place funds ahead of an official run.
Romney told a group of supporters in New York earlier this month he’s considering a third run for the White House. Last week, at the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting, Romney said he was “giving some serious consideration to the future.”
ABC News' Richard Coolidge contributed to this report.
