Pierce Bush eyes congressional seat once held by his grandfather, George H.W. Bush

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Pierce Bush, a grandson and nephew of presidents, announced Wednesday he is considering running for a Texas seat held by Republicans for decades until last year.

Bush, 38, is eyeing the Lone Star State’s 7th Congressional District, in the Houston suburbs. His grandfather George H.W. Bush, represented a version of the district from 1967 to 1971. The former congressman, CIA director and vice president, a Republican, became president for one four-year term in 1989.

Bush, CEO of Houston-based Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, is the son of Neil Bush, 64, who is the brother of former President George W. Bush, 72, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, 66.

Republicans held the seat since its creation in 1966 until the 2018 elections, when Democratic challenger Lizzie Fletcher upset 18-year GOP incumbent Rep. John Culberson. Fletcher’s win was viewed by many as a reflection of Democrats’ ascendance in the suburbs, particularly with President Trump as the de facto leader of Republicans nationally.

“Over the past few months, I have been flattered by many people in Houston who have reached out and encouraged me to run for this seat,” Bush said in a statement to the Texas Tribune. “I am currently putting my heart and soul into my role as CEO of the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters agency in the country.

“With my awesome staff team, our volunteers, and donors, we are empowering thousands of kids in Texas to achieve their full potential in life through our outcomes achieving mission,” he added. “If I were to run for this office, or any other office, I would certainly run as a big tent candidate focused on discussing the important matters. Together, we can stand for real opportunity for the many who need it.”

A source familiar with local Houston Republican politics said Bush would be a formidable candidate and would enjoy broad support.

George HW Bush
Family members gather before the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is loaded onto Special Air Mission 41, the plane that will head to Washington for funeral services, Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, in Houston. Grandson Pierce Bush is at center.


Name recognition would likely help, though the family’s political brand got tarnished somewhat in 2016 by the losing GOP primary campaign of Jeb Bush to Trump, the eventual presidential nominee and general election winner.

“Despite Jeb’s failed presidential bid nationwide, the Bush family is still widely revered in Texas, especially here in Houston. I suspect Bush would have little trouble getting the Republican nomination and getting the party to unify behind his candidacy,” the source told the Washington Examiner.

If elected, Pierce Bush would become the second Bush family member of this generation in public office. George P. Bush, Jeb Bush’s son, is the Texas land commissioner in the state. His name is frequently bandied around as a future Texas gubernatorial candidate.

The family’s history in elected office goes back three generations, to Connecticut Sen. Prescott Bush, a Republican. Pierce Bush had a prominent role discussing the family’s history in the recent CNN documentary special, “The Bush Years: Family, Duty, Power.”

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