Jeb! names Owens, Stapleton as chairs

As the Summer of Trump draws to a close, former Florida Gov. Jeb! Bush, the once and future frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination – according to plenty of pundits, at least – announced his state campaign co-chairs and steering committee.
Former Gov. Bill Owens and State Treasurer Walker Stapleton will be heading the Jeb! campaign, helping promote the candidate’s message of cutting taxes in Florida and bringing opportunity to Colorado, his campaign said.
It’s no shock Stapleton is atop the Jeb! machine – they’re cousins, after all – and the appearance of Bill Owens at the helm came as little surprise, either, as former first daughter Monica Owens-Beauprez has been dropping hints for more than a week that her newly formed campaign firm has landed the Jeb! job.
“Jeb and I served as governor during the same period, and I came to know him as a leader with great conservative conviction and a vision to get things done,” Owens said in a statement making his endorsement official. “I was impressed with his record of cutting taxes, cutting spending, and reforming government. I also know he has a deep commitment to improving education and developing America’s workforce, two critical issues if our nation is to compete in the 21st century economy.”
Dropping the exclamation point – Owens isn’t really the type to punctuate that way – the former fellow governor added, “Jeb Bush is a strong conservative with a proven record, and I am proud to endorse him for President.”
Monica Owens-Beauprez – she merged the two political dynasties, marrying former U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez’s son John this year – and Hillary Shoun formed the WestBrooke Group, a consulting firm specializing in fundraising, event planning and public affairs for corporations, non-profits and political candidates earlier this summer, and rumor has it they’ll be working for Jeb! this season. “We are thrilled to be ?#?AllinforJeb??!” Monica tweeted last week. “Keep an eye out for some exciting upcoming events!”
The Jeb! state steering committee includes former House Speaker Frank McNulty, former House Minority Leader Mark Waller, former state GOP chair Ryan Call, former state Rep. Keith Swerdfeger, Douglas County School Board member Doug Benevento, attorney Melissa Kuipers and campaign guru Michael Fortney, who also works for Stapleton.
“I am particularly impressed with Gov. Bush’s record on being tough on crime,” said McNulty. “I strongly support his signing of Jessica’s Law in Florida, which cracks down on criminals who victimize children. I appreciate Gov. Bush’s support for our military members and our veterans, and the families of both. I believe he has the ability to bring true reform to Washington D.C. based on his solid conservative record as governor.”
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