Republican Jeb Bush launches Presidential bid
Republican Jeb Bush has officially launched his Presidential bid, ahead of the 2016 election.
Jeb Bush, the son of former US President George Bush and brother of former US President George W Bush, announced his bid in a speech at Miami Dade University in Florida.
In a video ahead of the speech, the former Governor of Florida claimed: “Florida is a place where conservative principles have helped not just Republicans, but everybody.
“What we need is new leadership that takes conservative principles and applies them so that people can rise up.”
Despite once being seen as a more moderate Republican candidate, Bush hired an anti-gay activist to his Political Action Committee earlier this year, and has shifted to a more conservative stance on LGBT rights.
He has since come out strongly against same-sex marriage, and claimed that Christian business should be allowed to refuse to serve same-sex weddings.
Mr Bush might be launching his campaign, but his web domain might be lacking – as a gay couple bought up JebBushForPresident.com in protest at his policies.
The domain is owned by CJ Phillips and Charlie Rainwater, who bought it in 2008.
The site reads: “Hi there, and welcome to the page. CJ and Charlie are two guys in a great relationship who are looking to inform our friends and family about some of the challenges we face being part of the LGBT community.
“This page is intended to prompt understanding, insight, and healthy dialogue in the ever changing landscape of civil rights and social justice. Now we just need to find some time!”
They have had offers for the site, but have so far turned them down.