WASHINGTON: Jeb Bush, son to one former US president and brother to another, threw his hat into the ring for the 2016 race on Tuesday, announcing he had consulted his family and decided to explore a bid.

“As a result of these conversations and thoughtful consideration of the kind of strong leadership I think America needs, I have decided to actively explore the possibility of running for president,” he said.

The 61-year-old former Florida governor turned private investor is the first serious Republican contender to announce a likely run in his party’s primaries.

Jockeying is already underway to see who will challenge the presumptive Democratic frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, in the general election to decide who will replace President Barack Obama.

But the announcement of such a high-profile and popular politician essentially shifts the 2016 White House race into full gallop.

Other Republicans — and there are many contemplating a run — are on notice that the clock is ticking.

Creating an exploratory committee would permit Jeb Bush to start raising funds legally and traditionally signals the first official step in a presidential campaign process.

His statement did not officially announce an exploratory committee, but a declaration to “actively explore the possibility” is pretty clear speak in US politics. “In January, I also plan to establish a leadership PAC (political action committee) that will help me facilitate conversations with citizens across America to discuss the most critical challenges facing our exceptional nation,” Jeb Bush said.

On Sunday, he had said he would decide “in short order” whether he will seek to follow his brother George W. Bush, president from 2001 to 2009, and their father George H.W. Bush, from 1989 to 1993.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2014