Jeb Bush's
announcement that he has "decided to actively explore the possibility of running for president of the United States" has sent center-right bundlers "rushing" in his direction, "draining" financial support for other candidates,"
The Washington Post reported.
Politico added that "money men" were cheering the Bush statement and that his Republican rivals will now have to "struggle to raise big cash."
Among those purportedly hardest hit by a prospective Bush candidacy are Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey.
"I think Jeb's decision this early unexpectedly freezes many potential donors and bundlers who were exploring going with Christie or another candidate," said John Horne, an Arkansas financier and Bush family confidante, the Post reported.
The Bush clan has deep political roots in Texas that trump even Perry's connections. Rubio is seen as a Bush protégé and as dependent upon the same donor base, according to Politico.
Christie aides did not comment on how Bush's announcement might affect the New Jersey governor, according to the Post.
If Bush follows through with a presidential run, Rubio will probably run for re-election to the Senate, said Mel Sembler, a Florida-based member of the Bush circle.
Veteran GOP money bundler Fred Malek said prospective Bush backers will hold off supporting anyone else and wait for a call from for the former governor, Politico reported.
Rubio's spokesman, Alex Conant, told Politico that the Florida senator was less dependent on the same Bush donor base than was assumed.
Rubio contributors will convene in January to discuss his next moves.
"Marco's decision on whether to run for president or re-election will be based on where he can best achieve his agenda to restore the American Dream — not on who else might be running," Conant said in a statement, Politico reported.
Top Republican money people prefer that a single establishment candidate emerge as the party's standard bearer in 2016,
The New York Times reported earlier this month. At the same time, candidates are looking for donor commitments before deciding whether to announce.
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