George P. Bush has declared his intentions to run for Texas’ attorney general in 2022. Bush, who has been Texas land commissioner since 2015, is the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and nephew and grandson of two previous presidents.
Among the last of the Bush family in the office, George P. Bush was the first to quarrel with them over supporting former President Donald Trump, who has derided the family that was once a part of the Republicans.
Now, he is gearing up to challenge Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has spent six years in office under allegations of defrauding investors and was recently accused of bribery by his aides. At a campaign rally in Austin, Bush declared, “Here in Texas, we have a scandal that is plaguing one of our highest offices. And I believe conservatives should have a choice.”
The 45-year-old land commissioner of Texas also spoke to two attorneys before Gen Ken Paxton came into power, namely Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. John Cornyn. He voiced his concerns regarding the accusations made against the current Texas Attorney and remains willing to “offer me because everybody else has been quiet and afraid, to tell the truth about this guy.”
Bush’s sudden decision to climb up the political ladder will bring out the real test for the GOP voters: To go in favor of the Bush name or vote for an attorney general who has long been accused of bringing legal trouble to the table?
A few hours ahead of George Bush’s announcement, Paxton’s office released a court brief that refutes claims of good decorum by deputies who were sacked after participating in a revolt against Paxton last year.
Eight of his office members have made allegations against Paxton for misusing his office for a “wealthy donor,” which is now a part of an extensive investigation by the FBI. In response, Paxton has blatantly refused to accept these accusations, which he believes are all part of an “unsubstantiated smear campaign.”
He has also declined to accept blame for the securities fraud case that began in 2015. Meanwhile, George P. Bush has taken this opportunity to enter into this political race, where he has maintained close ties with Trump, unlike other family members. At various points in time, Trump has referred to George P. Bush as “the only Bush that likes me.”
On other occasions, Trump has not missed a chance to spew hatred for other members of Bush’s families. In 2016, he called Bush’s father “low energy,” whereas, in 2013, he took to Twitter to make his inherent hate for the Bush family public: “We need another Bush in the office about as much as we need Obama to have a 3rd term. No more Bushes!”
