Jeb Bush Quits Boards as He Eyes Presidential Bid
— -- In another sign former Florida governor Jeb Bush is inching towards a bid for the White House, an aide confirmed late today he has “stepped down from all of the boards he serves on, both businesses and non-profits,” including the chairmanship of his education foundation.
“This does not include the companies he is currently a partner of, including Jeb Bush and Associates, his business consulting company,” the aide told ABC News. “He will be reviewing his remaining business engagements in the coming year."
The Washington Post first reported the news of Bush’s departure from the companies, including the news Bush has also stepped down as a paid adviser to a for-profit education company, Academic Partnerships.
It is the latest in a series of moves where he stepped down from other boards including of timber company Rayonier, Inc. and Tenet Healthcare. He also left Barclay’s, the British investment bank, where he served as an adviser.
Bush spokesperson Kristy Campbell called it a next step as he explores a run for the White House, something Bush announced earlier this month.
"Governor Bush has shared he is reviewing his business engagements as he now actively explores a run for the presidency. This is a natural next step as he turns his focus to gauging whether there is support for a potential candidacy,” Campbell said.
It also allows Bush to distance himself from those financial interests should they become a problem in his run-up to a presidential campaign.
