(CNN) - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, President Bush's younger brother, has decided he will not seek Florida's open senate seat in 2010, setting off what's sure to be a wide-open and hotly contested battle to replace Republican Sen. Mel Martinez.
In a statement released Tuesday, the younger Bush said the time isn't right him to return to public life.
“While the opportunity to serve my state and country during these turbulent and dynamic times is compelling, now is not the right time to return to elected office," Bush said in the statement. “In the coming months and years, I hope to play a constructive role in the future of the Republican Party, advocating ideas and policies that solve the pressing problems of our day.
Bush was elected governor of Florida in 1998 and 2002 and was considered a leading contender for the seat set to be vacated by Martinez. His presence in the race would have added immediate star power to a contest Democrats are likely to make their top target in 2010.
But the former governor, who has largely remained out of the spotlight over the past two years, would likely have been hindered by his close association with the unpopular outgoing president, whose approval ratings continue to hove around 30 percent nationally and even lower in Florida.
But Jeb Bush left office in 2007 with approval ratings well over 60 percent, a sign he would likely have been insulated in the state from his brother's unpopularity, and among Florida Republican's best hopes for retaining the seat.
Since exiting the governor's office, Bush has served on the board of Tenet Healthcare Corporation. He also joined the now-defunct investment bank Lehman Brothers in 2007 as an adviser to its private equity business.
According to published reports, Democrats view Alex Sink, the state's chief financial officer, as the candidate best positioned to run for the seat. Before Martinez's announcement, Sink suggested she was uninterested in the run, but it's likely she now may reconsider.
Democrats are also considering Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a high-profile supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, though Schultz's congressional spokesman said it is unlikely she will run. Other Democrats mentioned include Reps. Kendrick Meek and Allen Boyd.
On the Republican side, Reps. Vern Buchanan and Connie Mack are said to be interested, as well as several GOP state officials.
“I think it will mean a very bloody primary for us and possibly for the Democrats. His candidacy would have cleared the field for Republicans. I cannot imagine the craziness,” a Florida GOP strategist told CNN Political Editor Mark Preston.
The strategist said that several Republicans could now jump in the race including U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, state Senate President Jeff Atwater and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.
The GOP strategist noted that Democrats might also see a primary because Bush “had the ability to knock the Democrats out,” who might have taken a pass.
Should Sen. Mel Martinez retire from the Senate early, it would avoid a Republican primary fight because Republican Gov. Charlie Crist would make the appointment and give that appointee the power of incumbency.
From CNN Politics
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If Jeb still believes he can better serve his country as manager of their trailer park, who am I to disagree? Your country loves you Jeb
Thank God, the "Nightmare" is almost over with the present BUSH...no more "nightmares" PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for leaving all the comment
So from what I gather....if your brother is an idiot that means you inherently are too
With that type of thinking no wonder were in this mess
We have no one else to blame but ourselves (I boguht
If you seriously thought that one person created this mess than you deserve to be in this mess
Hitler didnt kill start WW2 all by himself nor did Pol Pot kill all those people
Just because George Bush Jr. is not everyone's favorite guy does not mean his entire family should be lumped in. George Bush Sr. did a good job for 4 years and Jeb has done a great job in Florida, time and time again. Him becoming a Senator would not be a horrible thing for this Country or for Florida.
I think some people need to keep an open mind.
Thank God! Hasn't our country had enough of the Bush's? Father and son both left the country in a shambles. Enough already. ENOUGH!
As the saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me". But three times, No Way!
No more Bush's for now how wonderful.
THANK YOU!
It's ashame that "W" has tainted the family name. Then again Jeb is not Angel it was his state of Florida while Gov. that put "W" in place.
Thank God! My prayers have been answered! Gil
There's always Neil Bush, who was involved with looting the Silverado Savings and Loan. He's a perfect Republican candidate, nutjobs like TCM will love him.
Good, we who suffered with him in Florida would have campaigened relentlessly to stop him! Jeb is dangerous. He left our state in total finacial ruin. He gave property tax breaks to the wealth (sound familour) and left the middle class to pay for it. Services are lost, education underfunded and much, much more! I was totally troubled when he, thinking he was in a room of fellow republicans, with no press there – told them "I have a devious plan to derail it if it passes" He was talking about the Class Size Amendment we the people of Florida passed by vote. Does lieing and decite run in that family? they think they are kings and have devine rights to rule. We in he was arrogant, pompous and nasty. He had the typical – my way or the highway attitude. we are trying to rebuild our country from the last bush, as we had to from the first. Our state is going to take a long time to recover too! We don't need an obstructionist in the Senate, we have enough of them already.
No more bushes – ever!
JEB NOT RUNNING FOR SENATE !
Best news I've heard, since Nov. 4, 2008!
His father made sure of it...
Praise the Lord.
His request to have his last name changed must have been denied
Good News!! Hope he does not ever run for Prez. either, our country can not afford any more Bushs in Washington!!
First, Jeb Bush is the one who should have been president. He is smart and did a good job as governor of Florida. W ruined it for him. I feel bad for Jeb. I think he would be a great senator.
Too bad for us Republicans. George W. Bush along with the right wing evangelicals destroyed our party and destroyed the country. Now I will have to look at Obama, Reid and Pelosi for the next several years.
No to Jeb. Not 2010, Not ever. No more Bushes on the Hill, enough is enough after GWB totally screwed our country.
The Bushes found little reception to another one in public office. Many Americans (FL included) have had enough of the Bushes to last a lifetime.
He will run for president in 2012 however. It will be an easy field to enter given the track record of the current crop of perspective nominees. remember Palin is the current leader in the field!LOL
Perfect!! He is setting the stage for the 2012 Presidential defeat of Barack Obama. That's if Obama last that long!! Ole boy got lot's of baggage!
Why dont he move with the rest of the Bush's to Saudi Arabia. Seems that is where most of their income comes from.
God does indeed answer prayers!
Jeb needs to climb back under the rock the rest of his family surfaced out from under and stay put!
Wooooo Hoooo !!
14 days and no more Shrubs.
FOURTEEN DAYS !!!