The Bush family political dynasty looked finished after a series of electoral defeats.
But one family member has been quietly laying the groundwork for a comeback.
And Jonathan Bush made one strategic move in Maine that has political insiders buzzing.
Bush family eyes political revival through Maine governor’s race
The Bush political dynasty appeared to be over after George P. Bush’s crushing defeat in Texas back in 2022.
Political analysts wrote obituaries for one of America’s most influential political families.
But Jonathan Bush – cousin of former President George W. Bush – has been plotting a different path back to political relevance.
The 55-year-old healthcare entrepreneur has launched an exploratory committee for Maine governor and created a nonprofit called Maine for Keeps to promote his political vision.
What makes this move particularly shrewd is Bush’s decision to position himself as the moderate alternative in a Republican primary field that’s expected to be dominated by Trump aligned populists.
Maine has a long tradition of electing independent-minded politicians, as evidenced by Senator Susan Collins’ repeated victories despite the state’s leftward lean.
The timing couldn’t be better for Bush’s moderate approach.
Democratic Governor Janet Mills is term-limited, creating an open seat in 2026.
While political handicappers rate the race as "Likely Democratic," Maine voters have shown they’re willing to cross party lines for the right candidate.
Strategic positioning reveals political calculation
Bush isn’t just throwing his hat in the ring – he’s methodically building a case for why Maine needs his brand of Republicanism.
His Maine for Keeps blueprint reads like a carefully crafted political manifesto designed to appeal to the state’s independent streak.
"Instead of creating an environment that fosters economic growth and independence, Maine state government has slipped into a ‘learned helplessness,’" Bush wrote.¹
He’s also targeting bread-and-butter issues that resonate across party lines.
Bush points to the state’s declining school rankings and housing crisis as evidence that Democrat leadership has failed ordinary Maine families.
"Our schools have dropped from among the best in the nation to the bottom of the barrel," he stated. "We’re experiencing a housing crisis because a spider web of development restrictions has shut down new construction for anything but high-end homes."²
The messaging reveals a candidate who understands that Maine voters care more about practical results than ideological purity.
Family connections provide both advantages and challenges
Bush isn’t hiding from his famous last name – he’s leveraging it strategically.
Former President George W. Bush and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush recently attended a small fundraiser for Jonathan in the family’s longtime stomping ground of Kennebunkport.³
The Bush name still carries weight in certain Republican circles, but it also comes with baggage in the Trump era.
A recent Gallup poll shows the challenge Bush faces within his own party.
Trump enjoys 93% favorability among Republicans, compared to just 63% for George W. Bush.⁴
But Bush seems to be betting that Maine Republicans are different from the national party.
The state has a history of rewarding politicians who chart their own course rather than following national party orthodoxy.
Bush has also sought to establish his own credentials beyond the family name.
He built and sold Athenahealth, expanding it into a major medical software company before launching Zus Health, a Boston-based health data startup.
"You need to earn both sides of a paycheck before you tell other people what to do with their tax dollars," Bush explained, describing what he calls an "unwritten Bush family rule."⁵
What this means for 2026 and beyond
Bush’s Maine gambit represents more than just one man’s political ambitions – it’s a test of whether moderate Republicanism still has a place in American politics.
If Bush can win the Republican nomination and compete effectively in the general election, it would signal that there’s still appetite for Bush-style conservatism.
A victory would also restore the family’s political credibility after years of decline.
The Democratic field is already crowded with prominent candidates including Angus King III, Hannah Pingree, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and Senate President Troy Jackson.
Republicans face a fragmented primary between Trump aligned populists and moderates like Bush.
That fragmentation could actually work in Bush’s favor if he can consolidate the moderate lane while populist candidates split the Trump vote.
The real question is whether Maine voters are ready for another Bush in elected office.
Early signs suggest political insiders are taking his candidacy seriously, even if he hasn’t formally declared yet.
Look at what Bush has actually been doing here – he’s not just throwing his name out there hoping family connections will carry him.
He built a nonprofit to test his message. He’s putting out policy papers that sound more like a sitting governor than a wannabe candidate. The guy even got George W. and Jeb to show up for a fundraiser.
That’s not how you run a vanity campaign.
Bush is betting that Maine voters are tired of the same old choices. On one side you’ve got the radical leftist Democrats pushing their usual failed policies. On the other side you’ve got the populist wing of the Republican Party.
Bush thinks there’s a sweet spot right in the middle for someone who actually knows how to run things.
The timing tells you everything about his strategy. Why announce now when you could wait until closer to the election? Because he knows building name recognition in a state like Maine takes time.
Right now Bush is cranking out policy papers and doing podcast episodes through his Maine for Keeps operation. It’s smart politics – you get to look gubernatorial without actually having to defend a record yet.
Don’t expect a formal announcement until later this year, but all the pieces are falling into place for what could be the political comeback story of 2026.
¹ Jasmine Baehr, "Bush family political dynasty may be eyeing a comeback in 2026 governor’s race in Maine," Fox News, August 16, 2025.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ Ibid.
