Liberty University is seeing its fair share of Republican presidential hopefuls this year. First Texas Sen. Ted Cruz used an address to students to formally announce his bid last month and now former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is slated to deliver the May commencement address,
The Washington Post reported.
"Liberty University is honored to welcome Gov. Jeb Bush to campus for our 42nd commencement exercises," university President Jerry Falwell said,
according to the Liberty Champion student newspaper.
"Throughout his years of public service, Gov. Bush has been a champion for excellence in education and so many other issues of vital importance to our university community."
Cruz's decision to launch his campaign at the university was seen as an overture to evangelical voters and social conservatives, and a sign that he intended to pursue that base as he moved forward with his campaign.
An aide familiar with the planning for the commencement speech said that Bush's invitation had been secured "several months ago" before Cruz launched his campaign.
"The Florida Republican's decision to speak there nonetheless indicates that he isn't ready to cede the evangelical voting bloc to Cruz or any other candidates in the potentially crowded GOP field. As it stands, Bush is considered the clear establishment favorite for the nomination," the Post said.
Former Republican presidential nominee
Mitt Romney delivered the commencement address at the university weeks after becoming the nominee in 2012.