Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush took another step closer to launching a 2016 presidential bid, announcing on Wednesday that he is withdrawing from his remaining business interests.
The Republican will leave Jeb Bush & Associates, a consulting group he started after leaving the governorship. He’ll also sell ownership stakes in Britton Hill, a consulting group he helped set up in 2008.
RELATED: Jeb Bush courts Iowa GOP voters
“Just as he said he would, Governor Bush has been reviewing his private sector commitments as he contemplates a potential run,” said Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell in a statement. “Governor Bush finalized that process this month, selling his ownership stakes in Jeb Bush & Associates and in the Britton Hill entities. This was a natural step as Governor Bush transitioned his time and focus from running his business to increasing his political efforts on behalf of conservative candidates and causes."
The news was first reported by The Washington Post.
Earlier this year, the 61-year-old son and brother of two former presidents, resigned from all of his board memberships, including his posts at education company Academic Partnership, CorMatrix Cardiovascular Inc., and Empower Software Solutions. He had already said he would no longer serve on the Tenet Healthcare Corp. board and would end his advisory role with banking company Barclays.
Bush’s latest move comes as several polls show the former governor near or at the top of the emerging Republican 2016 field.
