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Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush ? the younger brother of the president ? is
weighing a run for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Mel
Martinez.

Martinez announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in 2010.
Asked whether he was interested in running for the seat then, Bush told
Politico by e-mail Tuesday night: ³I am considering it.²

A source close to Bush said he'll be thoughtful and methodical about the
decision-making process. He will consider the impact a race would have
on his family and his business and whether or not the U.S. Senate is the
best forum from which to continue his advocacy for issues such as
education, immigration and GOP solutions to health care reform.

In an interview with Politico immediately after November¹s election, the
former governor said the Republican Party should take four primary steps
to regain favor with voters: Show no tolerance for corruption, practice
what it preaches about limiting the scope of government (³There should
not be such a thing as a Big Government Republican²), stand for working
families and small business, and embrace reform.

Bush said conservatives should ³do the math of the new demographics of
the United States,² explaining that the Republican Party ³can¹t be
anti-Hispanic, anti-young person ? anti many things ? and be surprised
when we don¹t win elections.²

Since Martinez's announcement Tuesday, Bush has received many phone
calls and emails from Floridians and national Republicans urging him to
run, the source close to him said Tuesday night.

Bush has kept a low-profile since leaving office in 2007, but he retains
a strong following among Florida Republicans and would almost certainly
clear the Republican field should he decide to run.

But he's in no hurry to decide, said a top adviser, and won't make a
decision until after the new year.
.

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