Jeb Bush 2016 Presidential Odds: Potential GOP Candidate Visits Puerto Rico, Set to Speak at Latino Christian Conference
Potential Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush is in Puerto Rico for a number of events with the commonwealth's Republican Party.
According to a statement from Bush's "The Right to Rise" political-action committee (PAC), the former Florida governor will attend an event at the Universidad Metropolitana de Cupey and a town-hall style event with Puerto Rican Republicans.
"He has a great connection to the island. He has great friends there," said Bush spokesperson Emily Benavides, noting he spent six months on the island working for his father.
Latin Post reached out to The Right to Rise PAC for further statements on Bush's agenda in Puerto Rico, but has no response was made.
As Latin Post report, Bush has been referred to by Spanish-language media as the "Hispanic candidate" despite not being Hispanic but is fluent in the language. During Univision's "Al Punto," anchor Jorge Ramos identified Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, as the Hispanic presidential candidates, but he then suggested Bush, "if we want to convert him as Latino, too." Carlos Gutierrez, who was the commerce secretary during the George W. Bush administration, promoted Bush as a great leader, especially among other potential Republican Party candidates.
Bush's trip to Puerto Rico will be short since he is scheduled to deliver a speech at the National Christian Hispanic Leadership Conference (NHCLC), touted as the largest Latino Christian organization in the world, in Houston, Texas. According to the NHCLC, 1,500 people are expected to attend its conference.
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., is also confirmed to attend the conference. According to Gutierrez's Communications Director Douglas Rivlin, Gutierrez will speak about immigration and the "hateful rhetoric in the media and from politicians in the immigration debate and the role that the faith community can play in moving the country forward."
"We are in a crucial moment for Hispanics in the U.S. as we approach the 2016 election," said NHCLC President Rev. Samuel Rodriguez in a statement. "The Latino population is growing and with that comes concerns related to issues of importance to our community including family, education, religion and business, which we will be watching for the presidential candidates to address.
"There is no doubt Latinos will play a critical role in choosing our next president."
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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
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