Florida

South Florida Republicans Await Jeb Bush Presidential Announcement

Jeb Bush will formally enter the 2016 race Monday, six months after the former Florida governor got the campaign buzz started by saying he was considering a bid.

The brother of one president and son of another, Bush faces a historically crowded field of more than a dozen possible Republican opponents for the nomination. 

On Sunday, the 62-year-old previewed his campaign announcement with several web videos highlighting who he is and his stance on several issues.

"My core beliefs start with the premise that the most vulnerable in our society should be in the front of the line, not the back," Bush said in one of the videos.

Bush will address a crowd of supporters Monday afternoon at Miami Dade College. According to the MDC website, the school both enrolls and graduates more minorities than any other college or university in the United States, including the most Hispanics. The venue was likely chosen to highlight Bush's passion for education policy as well as to seek the support of Latino voters.

South Floridians looked forward to the long-awaited moment.

"He's the one that will pull in more groups," Randy Espinaga says. "Not just in Florida or Miami, but nationwide."

Bush supporter David Carvallo agreed.

"You know the primary is a long process," Carvallo said. "But I think on a national stage the only one that can go up against the Hillary Clinton machine is going to be Jeb and company."

Bush just returned from a week-long trip to Europe where he focused on foreign policy. In recent months, he also traveled across the United States talking about jobs and education. However, some in Miami say they are still undecided.

"This is a big country, there are a lot of capable people out there," undecided voter Ruth Jacobs said. "So we just need more of them to step up."

Bush will make his announcement at 3 p.m. June 15th at Miami Dade College's Kendall campus.

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