Jeb Bush's Recent Converts Are Investing for the Long Term

A hefty war chest and stream of grassroots support has Bush team banking on the long run.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush speaks to voters at the Heritage Action Presidential Candidate Forum on Sept. 18, 2015, in Greenville, South Carolina.
Photographer: Sean Rayford/Getty Images

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By Michael C. Bender

October 1, 2015 at 9:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

It's been almost two months since Jeb Bush was atop a Republican presidential poll in New Hampshire or South Carolina. He's never quite been the top choice in Iowa. He's fifth in a pair of national polls this week.

But those numbers aren't keeping Bush from picking up supporters around the country in the scramble to scoop up men and women from recently folded presidential campaigns. A significant share of Scott Walker's former team is backing the son and brother of former presidents, and the head of Rick Perry's super-PAC is now helping Bush raise money. The campaign has also expanded its grassroots teams in Iowa, South Carolina, and Nevada, and announced new supporters in Virginia, Alabama, Massachusetts, and Florida.