Jeb Bush Seeks to Gain Allies With Hefty Cash Doleouts

Feb 15, 2015 08:31 AM EST

(Photo : REUTERS/Rebecca Cook) Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush smiles as he is introduced to speak at the Detroit Economic Club about his "Reform Conservative Agenda" in Michigan in this file photo taken February 4, 2015.

Early Republican presidential frontrunner, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, plans to hand out more than a hundred thousand dollars to his party mates, apparently counting on his ability to raise funds in winning allies for a likely 2016 bid.

The political action committee (PAC) of the former governor, Right to Rise, said it was giving away $10,000 to each Republican state party in Florida, Nevada, Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina -- which are the first to carry out nominations in the primaries that will determine the party's 2016 candidates.

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The son of former President George H.W. Bush and the brother of former President George W. Bush, he said that in the coming weeks, his PAC will go on supporting conservative candidates and policies that will help all Americans to have the right to rise.

He has yet to declare his official candidacy, but he has been actively raising funds through his PAC in efforts to get the backing of well-to-do party followers and donors.

Bush's committee also handed out $5,200, the legal limit, to more than a dozen Republican legislators -- among them Representative Frank Guinta and Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire; Representative Trey Gowdy and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina; and Representative David Young and Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

Last week, in a visit to the state capital of Florida, Bush talked about politically sensitive matters such as education reform and immigration.

Supporters sent out emails from his time as Florida governor to highlight his credentials as he works on a possible 2016 presidential bid.

He told a loyal audience of about 300 followers, who paid a thousand dollars per plate in the event, that Republicans should look at immigration as a chance to grow the economy growth, which contradicts the stand of party hardliners.

The visit showed his strength in Florida - the biggest U.S. swing state - seen as critical to the party's hopes of taking back the White House next year.

TagsJeb Bush, Republican Party, GOP, Right to Rise