Jeb Bush, Jr., son of the former governor and current GOP contender
for president, is taking time out from his busy schedule campaigning for good ol’ Dad so he can fundraise for someone else: John Couriel, who is running for House seat 114 to replace the termed-out Eric Fresen in 2016.
“I am honored to have the support of Jeb Bush, Jr., who has made time in his incredibly busy schedule to come home to House District 114 and stand with me for its future,” Couriel said in a statement.
The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at Bulla Gatrobar, 2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd., in Coral Gables. Get there early if you want to go. Jebby pulls.
This is a major score for Couriel, who lost a 2012 bid for state Senate against Sen. Gwen Margolis. Jebby is Daddy’s connection to the millenial vote. He has been a staple on the campaign trail, serving as a surrogate for father Jeb Bush at times and standing beside him at others. He’s been drawing record number of 20- and 30-something professionals to fundraisers for his Papi’s PAC, Right to Rise. Politico’s Eli Stokols has called the 31-year-old baby of the family “an ambassador of sorts to young GOP donors” who have a harder time connecting with his 62-year-old dad.
Well, por supuesto. He’s cute. He’s young. He’s educated. He’s eloquent. 
He reminds us of Sen. Marco Rubio. And that’s the point, isn’t it? Jebby Bush is his dad’s best evidence that Rubio, another Republican POTUS contender, doesn’t corner the market on tomorrowland.
And Jebby’s been posting on facebook about two candidates: Jeb Bush for president and John Couriel for state House. That’s something. Yes, it’s a major coup for Couriel to get him to take time from his dad’s presidential race to come down and stump for his little ol’ House seat.
“For West Miami and Coral Gables, he’ll do it. It’s home sweet home for him,” Couriel told Ladra Thursday of the Coral Gables resident. “He’s my consituent.”
It’s not like the two play golf at the Biltmore together, but “I do consider him a friend,” Couriel said.
Might he get an endorsement from his friend’s famous dad some day? “I’m just honored and hopeful that I can share a ballot with his dad some day. That would be a nice thing,” Couriel said.
Read related story: Two years out, House 114 seat becomes contested primary
Jose Pazos, who also ran for House seat 117 in the clusterbunch of candidates who ran in 2010 (when Rep. Michael Bileca won), has also declared his candidacy in the GOP primary for that race.
There are also two Democrats listed as candidates so far: Alberto Santana and Ross Hancock a perennial candidate who has lost a few times already — and who is not likely to get Chelsea Clinton to a Coconut Grove bar for a fundraiser anytime soon.
Jebby Bush leaves Pop to stump for John Couriel’s House seat added by Ladra on
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Elaine, I’ve alway been a big fan of your analysis. Help me understand why running early and often in difficult races—to give people the option of voting for our environment—is a bad thing in itself. I’m not perfect, but I don’t think I’d want to stop being perennial. It seems worse to fail and give up and not provide a choice. –Ross
Ross, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I think, right now, it’s a waste of time. What race is this, three or four? Because I forget. And you’ve run for at least two different seats, or is it three?
I don’t blame you for wanting to make a difference. But running for the sake of running and not expecting a different outcome is, well, not just insane but boring.
Why don’t you get heavily involved in something else first and show us your muster? Get appointed to a committee. Spearhead some kind movement or legislation with real impact on the environmental agenda. I will help you. Then you can run on THAT track record.
Love, Ladra
Santana I think Bush support will sink Couriel. This election will be a little different, those Republican candidates getting Bush support won’t get much help from Conservative voters.
[…] JEB BUSH JR. LEAVES POP TO STUMP FOR JOHN COURIEL’S HOUSE RACE via Ladra of Political Cortadito […]
Santana will win hands down. Once he gets through the primary he will win with the (D) next to his name on the ballot. No Chance for Couriel. Big democratic turnout will sink him.
I thought John Couriel lived on miami beach and has for a while now. when did that become acceptable? I know it’s legal but is it right?