Election News Update: Jeb Bush Campaigns for GOP Candidates in Spanish-Language Ads, Talks Immigration
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush appeared in new campaigns advertisements for midterm election candidates, including spots for the Spanish-language market.
On behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Bush appeared in ads and spoke in Spanish for congressional candidates Cory Gardner, David Valadao and Martha McSally, facing elections in Colorado, California and Arizona, respectively.
Bush spoke about different topics for each candidate. For the Gardner advertisement, Bush focused on the Republican candidate's business and economic experience. McSally's commercial also had a business-focus pitch by Bush and touted her as a "valiant" candidate who will continue the Republican ideology in Washington, D.C.
Bush's pitch for Valadao focused on immigration. Valadao, the Republican incumbent for California's 21st District, is immediately acknowledged as a son of immigrants "who understands [the immigration] system is not functioning."
"[Valadao] is ready to work with members of the other party and do it correctly to maintain families united, grow our economy and create good jobs," Bush added in Spanish.
According to the Chamber of Commerce, the advertisements were an "effort to reach Hispanic voters in key Senate and House races." The organization noted Gardner's advertisement will also run in English in Colorado. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., previously pitched a video for Gardner last May.
Bush's Spanish-Language Ad on Immigration:
The Chamber of Commerce also acknowledged Bush as a potential 2016 presidential candidate. The latest McClatchy-Marist College poll showed Bush as the favored GOP candidate among Republican and Republican-leaning independents. Of 10 potential Republican candidates, Bush received 15 percent, narrowly ahead of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., each with 13 percent. Rubio placed sixth with 6 percent, behind current governors Chris Christie of New Jersey (12 percent) and Rick Perry of Texas (7 percent).
Bush, however, could encounter trouble with potential Democratic candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Among national registered voters, Clinton garnered 53 percent to Bush's 42 percent. Independent voters could make the difference in 2016 as Clinton closely beat Bush with 48 percent to 46 percent, respectively.
Clinton easily topped Bush among Latino voters with 66 percent to 33 percent. Women also favored Clinton with 61 percent to Bush's 34 percent. Men went for Bush with 52 percent to Clinton's 45 percent.