Former U.S. president George W. Bush and wife Laura will host a pricey fundraiser for Bush’s nephew George P. Bush, who is running for the position of Texas Land Commissioner in 2014.
The fundraiser will be held May 30 at the multi-million dollar Dallas home of Barry Andrews. President Bush has donated $50,000 to his nephew’s campaign, with more financial support to come.
“If George P. wants to talk to his old uncle and ask for advice, I’m actively advising. I’ve contributed to his campaign, Laura and I have. Beyond that, it depends on what he wants me to do,” President Bush said.
Republican Jerry Patterson, current commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, is running for Lieutenant Governor in 2014, leaving a vacancy for the young half-Latino Bush, who is currently running unopposed.
George P. Bush, the 37-year old son of former Florida governor Jeb Bush, admitted in March that “in some respects” his last name could hurt his candidacy.
“I obviously love my family and embrace their history, but I think voters will kind of look past the name and look at what I have to present,” Bush said.
George P. Bush also said that while the Republican Party has asked him to help develop its plan to attract Latino voters, he does not think that the party’s policies need to be changed.
“Frankly, I think, in terms of our principles, we don’t need to change anything, we need to change the messenger if you will, and that’s going to require newer candidates with fresher faces,” Bush said.
George P. Bush first spoke at the Republican National Convention at age 12 in 1988 in support of his grandfather, President George Herbert Walker Bush.