Former Florida governor Jeb Bush speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at National Harbor, Md., in February. (Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press)
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Jeb Bush told about 350 of the top donors to his super PAC on Sunday evening that the organization has raised more money in 100 days than any other Republican operation in modern history, according to several people in attendance.
Bush did not say how much had been raised, but senior Republicans said they think his super PAC, Right to Rise, is on track to collect $100 million by the end of May. Those who heard Bush speak said it signals that he and his team are confident that they've amassed a sizable political fortune that will help bankroll his fledgling presidential aspirations.
Any comparison with past fundraising efforts is impossible, however, as Bush is the first White House hopeful to focus his early fundraising efforts on filling the coffers of a super PAC, which can accept unlimited donations from individuals and corporations. Once Bush sets up an official campaign, it will be able to accept donations only up to $2,700 a person.
Bush spoke to his supporters at the 1Hotel, a new, eco-friendly establishment in Miami Beach with rooms that run into the four figures and include stunning vistas of the Atlantic Ocean.
Donors began meeting with Bush and his aides on Sunday afternoon, first by geographic regions, including one for the Northeast, one for the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland, another for Florida and another for donors from California. The festivities continued with a dinner that included chicken, where Bush referred twice to his historic sum, according to people in attendance.
The meetings will continue Monday with policy briefings led by his top aides, including David Kochel, his campaign manager in waiting; Sally Bradshaw, an aide at large; and Mike Murphy, a longtime GOP strategist who is expected to lead Right to Rise once Bush declares his candidacy and is legally obligated to no longer coordinate with the PAC.
But Bush isn't officially a candidate, meaning his top aides can still mix, mingle and coordinate. Murphy and Bradshaw were seen huddling in the hotel lobby for quite a while on Sunday afternoon. Bush's general counsel, Charlie Spies, who is responsible for helping design the scope of his super PAC, was also in attendance.
Bush aides said that about 350 people signed up to attend the donor conference. Among the people spotted at the hotel were former Senate majority leader Bill First (R-Tenn.); C. Boyden Gray, a former ambassador and White House counsel; former senator George Lemieux (R-Fla.); Juleanna Glover, a Washington-based lobbyist; longtime Bush friend and Miami-based lobbyist Al Cardenas and his son, David Cardenas; and Ana Navarro, another longtime Bush friend; former commerce secretary Carlos Gutierrez; and Adam Putnam, Florida's agriculture commissioner.
Several other donors were seen wearing name tags stating that they came from the District, Florida and Texas, among other places.
Ed O’Keefe is covering the 2016 presidential campaign, with a focus on Jeb Bush and other Republican candidates. He's covered presidential and congressional politics since 2008. Off the trail, he's covered Capitol Hill, federal agencies and the federal workforce, and spent a brief time covering the war in Iraq.
Matea Gold is a national political reporter for The Washington Post, covering money and influence.
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