Jeb Bush Rules Out Senate Run in 2010

Jeb Bush put an end to feverish political speculation today and announced that he will not seek Mel Martinez’s Florida Senate seat in 2010, the Chicago Tribune reports. The former Florida governor was widely reported to be considering a run—even his father had publicly encouraged the idea. “Now is not the right time to return to elected office,” Bush said in a statement.

Bush said that he would remain outside government but would work to strengthen the Republican party and “solve the pressing problems of our day.” He issued a call for bipartisanship and praised Barack Obama, saying, “I am proud to call him my president.” Bush works for two foundations committed to education reform, and he said that issue would be the most important in the years to come. (More Jeb Bush stories.)