December 17, 2014 - Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush,61, announced yesterday that he would "actively explore" a run for the White House in 2016. Bush a Republican made his declaration with a statement released on social media.

Bush, who served as Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, is the son of the 41st President of the Untied States George H. W. Bush and the brother of 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush.

This early entry into the race by Bush some 13 month before the 2016 Iowa presidential caucus , immediately complicates matters for two other GOP contenders New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and 2012 Republican nominee for president Mitt Romney.

Both Christie and Romney were looking to appeal to the same moderate establishment supporters that also favor Bush. With his hat now in the ring , Bush can begin to lock down the financial backers and campaign support staff while Christie and Romney stand on the sidelines for the moment.

As the Bush family has been active in Republican presidential politics for decades , Jeb Bush can draw on a reservoir of support that would be difficult for Christie or Romney to match. With already two presidents in the family , there is probably not a Republican party chairman, political operative or financial backer that the Bush family has not had contact with.

In an average of nationwide polls , Bush currently leads all challengers with 15% followed by Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan and Christie both with 10%. The next batch of president contenders Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky , former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Dr. Ben Carson all find themselves tied at 9%. The remainder of the GOP field is as follows Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker 8%, Senator Ted Crux of Texas at 6%, Texas Governor Rick Perry at 4%, Senator Marco Rubio at 4%, and at 2% each Ohio Governor John Kasich and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindahl.