January 30, 2016

Former Governors Endorse Jeb Bush, Following Winning Debate Performance

Following Jeb Bush’s winning performance in the Fox News debate in Des Moines, an additional three former governors are endorsing Jeb. 

As reported by Bloomberg today, former governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating, former governor of Idaho Dirk Kempthorne and former governor of Rhode Island Lincoln Almond are endorsing Jeb Bush for President, making a total of 15 former governors publicly supporting JebThese former governors know Jeb is ready to be Commander-in-Chief because of his tested executive experience as governor of Florida and his proven conservative record.

Other former governors publicly supporting Jeb include Former New Hampshire Governor Judd Gregg, Former Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns and Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. 

Statements of support from Governors Kempthorne, Almond and Keating and an op-ed, An Endorsement for Jeb Bush," from Mike Johanns published in Iowa yesterday are below.  

Former Governor of Oklahoma, Frank Keating: "Jeb Bush was a mentor governor. He is humble and good and a thorough going patriot. These are awful times. We need a mature and strong man at the helm. Jeb is that man. The presidency is not a frivolity. It is the ultimate in leadership. The times are too turbulent to choose a captain who has never paddled a boat.

Former Governor of Idaho, Dirk Kempthorne: “As a former western state Governor and U.S. Interior Secretary, I am proud to endorse Jeb Bush because he has rolled out a real western lands and resource management plan, issues that matter a tremendous amount in Idaho, Nevada, and many other states. Beyond that, I know Jeb Bush to be a conservative, a man of character, and someone who brings tremendous judgment to public office. Our party needs a nominee we know will uphold our conservative values because he has a track record of doing so, and without question, will bring those values to the Oval Office.”

Former Governor of Rhode Island, Lincoln Almond: “I served as Governor at the same time as Jeb, and I can tell you there was no Republican governor in the country at that time that had more innovative ideas that truly changed his or her state than Jeb did. We marveled at what Jeb was doing in Florida, and I greatly respected his skills as a policy innovator. I am proud to endorse his presidential campaign because I think he has offered the most robust policy platform of anyone in the field, and I think we need to nominate a candidate who is willing to tell the American people what he’s going to do and has a track record of backing it up. It would be a grave mistake to nominate someone who has no policy platform, has been all over the place on our party’s core beliefs, or who has never managed anything meaningful. Jeb checks all the right boxes on what you want in a president and I believe he will inspire the country with his ability to innovate and find solutions to serious problems.”

Mike Johanns, “An Endorsement for Jeb Bush
"Unlike some Republican candidates, who have adopted the protectionist policies of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, Jeb is a trusted free trader who understands the importance of opening foreign markets to U.S. agriculture exports.

Jeb is the right candidate to strengthen America’s economic security, and he is easily the most qualified person to become the next commander-in-chief. More than 30 retired admirals and generals, 12 Medal of Honor recipients and leading national security experts have endorsed him.”

"Jeb Bush was a transformational governor in Florida. I believe he will be a transformational president who can keep us safe while lifting our nation to new heights."

"I encourage my fellow Republicans to join me in voting for Gov. Bush.” 

Former Gorvernors supporting Jeb Bush:
- Governor Lincoln Almond (RI)
- Governor Jim Edgar (IL)
- Governor Luis Fortuno (PR)
- Governor Judd Gregg (NH)
- Governor Mike Johanns (NE)
- Governor Frank Keating (OK)
- Governor Dirk Kempthorne (ID)
- Governor John "Jock" McKernan (ME)
- Governor Bill Owens (CO)
- Governor Tom Ridge (PA)
- Governor Bob Riley (AL)
- Governor Jane Swift (MA)
- Governor Fife Symington (AZ)
- Governor Tommy Thompson (WI)
- Governor Bill Weld (MA)

From Bloomberg:
Bush’s campaign rolled out endorsements from three former governors on Friday: Frank Keating of Oklahoma, Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho, and Lincoln Almond of Rhode Island. Kempthorne was also a U.S. senator and secretary of the interior in the administration of Bush's brother, George W. Bush. 

Bush, who served as Florida governor from 1999 to 2007, now has backing from 15 former governors, according to his campaign.

Statements from the latest three endorsers echoed many of the criticisms Bush has aimed at Republican front-runner Donald Trump, the New York businessman and reality TV show host.

"The times are too turbulent to choose a captain who has never paddled a boat," Keating said. "We need a mature and strong man at the helm. Jeb is that man."