The wait is over. George Prescott Bush – grandson of a president, nephew of another and son of a former Florida governor – is running for Texas land commissioner.
Just when you thought you’d seen the last Bush seeking political glory in the Lone Star State, along comes George P.
I do not intend to denigrate the young lawyer, who now calls Fort Worth home. I don’t know much about him, other than Republicans all across the state – I’m assuming – are glad to have him in the political family.
The land commissioner’s office is an important one in Texas. The office administers the state’s veterans home loan program and watches over the state’s public lands, although there’s not much public land in Texas, compared to say many other states farther west.
The current land commissioner, Jerry Patterson, has his eyes on another office, lieutenant governor. But as is the case in every Texas election year, 2014 will shake out only after all the state’s constitutional officeholders decide what they intend to do. If the current lieutenant governor, David Dewhurst, runs for re-election, that could pit Patterson against a fellow Republican powerhouse. But what if Patterson decides he seek re-election? That means George P. has to challenge a fearless incumbent and it exposes him to losing his first-ever race for elected public office.
George P. is seen as an attractive Republican. He speaks Spanish fluently, which helps in a state with such a huge Spanish-speaking population. It doesn’t hurt that he’s “telegenic.” Nor does it hurt – at least in Texas – that he has last name of Bush, which might be the kiss of death almost anywhere else in America, given Uncle George W.’s record as president.
But if the young Bush has his eyes, also, on even higher political office, he’ll have to settle with boning up on issues pertinent to the General Land Office. I wish George P. Bush good luck as he tries to stay focused. Texas land commissioner might not be a glamorous job, but it’s a big deal to veterans needing a home loan.