As everyone expected, former Gov. Jeb Bush formally endorsed Miami-Dade School Board Member Carlos 
Curbelo in his bid for Congress.
Bush sent out the “news” on twitter Monday morning. “Proud to endorse @carloslcurbelo for Congress. He’s shown a strong commitment to #edreform &limited gov #FL26,” he chirped.
Moments later, Curbelo and his supporters were retweeting what seemed like a planned tweetathon.
Funny enough, Bush’s tweet even came with a press release link attached that takes the reader to Curbelo’s website where the tweet is mentioned in the first graph. Talk about “as it happens!”
Here is the press release, which for the first time actually acknowledges the primary:
Governor Jeb Bush Endorses Carlos Curbelo
for Congress in Florida’s 26th DistrictMiami, FL – Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush today announced his endorsement of Carlos Curbelo in the election for Florida’s 26th Congressional District. Governor Bush (@JebBush) first broke news of his endorsement of Curbelo (@carloslcurbelo) via his Twitter feed today.
I am pleased to endorse Carlos Curbelo for Congress. He is a proven education reformer and a strong proponent of expanding economic freedom and cutting wasteful spending. Carlos will bring a servant’s heart to Washington to represent Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. I look forward to supporting Carlos’ campaign this year as he articulates his bold vision for the future of our nation,” said Governor Bush.
“It is my great honor to have Governor Bush’s support. During his tenure our state and our citizens prospered, and our children benefit today from his leadership in overhauling Florida’s school system. His tireless efforts to reform education in America and prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow have inspired so many. He remains the great Florida role model of public service,” said Carlos Curbelo. “With Governor Jeb Bush’s endorsement of our campaign, we continue the momentum needed for victory in August and November,” Curbelo added.
Curbelo, a husband, father and member of the Miami-Dade County School Board since his election in 2010, is seeking the Republican nomination for the congressional seat currently held by Democrat Joe Garcia. Garcia has been under a cloud of controversy and scandal since shortly after being elected in 2012. His Chief of Staff was convicted for absentee ballot fraud last year and his campaign remains under FBI investigation.
Florida’s 26th Congressional District encompasses much of southwestern Miami-Dade County and all of Monroe County. Curbelo had raised approximately $650,000 for the campaign as of December 31, 2013, far outpacing his competitors for the nomination.
It wasn’t big “news” to everyone, however, least of all to the other Republicans vying to go up against Congressman Joe Garcia in November.
“No surprise,” said former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez.
“Carlos is the choice for the power brokers, the party insiders, and Jeb Bush is part of that,” Martinez told Ladra.
Curbelo could not be reached immediately for comment. Ladra imagines his phone was ringing off the hook this morning.
But the endorsement comes the day after a Curbelo fundraiser with a large contingent of GOP hosts that include Jeb Bush, Jr., or Jebby and Ladra had said here weeks ago that this move was inevitable.
Most interesting to Ladra, however, is how the Curbelo campaign, for the first time really, is talking about a race in August. Up to now, Curbelo’s strategy has been mostly to target Garcia and ignore the other Republican hopefuls: In addition to Martinez, the primary ballot could be bulging with Cutler Bay Mayor Ed MacDougall, Miami self-described constitutional expert and attorney Lorenzo “Larry” Palomares-Starbuck and Jose Felix Peixoto of Key Largo, the only Monroe-based candidate.
Maybe Curbelo realizes he may have a real race on his hand in less than six months.
Jeb Bush backs Carlos Curbelo in #FL26… Duh! added by Ladra on
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