U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw predicted Monday that when voters go to the polls in 2016 to cast a ballot for president of the United States, the choices will be some familiar names.
“Don’t be surprised if it’s Bush and Clinton on the ballot,” he said, referring to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Crenshaw, a Republican who represents the 4th District including Baker, Clay and Duval counties, spoke Monday to the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
He said he has no inside knowledge that Bush is seriously considering seeking the office. However, “Jeb Bush has a lot of name recognition and the Bush name carries immediate access to about $1 billion in campaign financing,” said Crenshaw.
Bush recently told a Miami television reporter that he is “considering” a run in 2016.
“I am considering it and expect to make a decision next year,” Bush said in a weekend interview with WPLG-TV. “There are a lot of factors, the biggest is my family.”
On the subject of the possible presidential candidacy of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Crenshaw said the controversy over the alleged politically motivated closing of lanes on a bridge between New Jersey and New York might not seriously affect Christie’s chances as a candidate.
“As long as it doesn’t come out that he ordered the ... closings, it’s a setback. It would not knock him out of the race,” Crenshaw said.
On the subject of Mayport Naval Station, Crenshaw said he remains confident the U.S. Navy will eventually move a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the base.
Crenshaw said in the meantime, an amphibious battle group is being homeported at Mayport and all 20 of the new Littoral Combat Ships that will be stationed on the East Coast will be at Mayport.
At Jacksonville Naval Air Station, 18 of the new P-8 reconnaissance aircraft will call the base their home, Crenshaw said.
Crenshaw said he arrived late to Capitol Hill last week for President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address because he was participating in a “telephone town hall meeting.” More than 5,000 people were listening to the meeting and more than 100 were in a queue to ask Crenshaw questions.
“It’s a great way to hear what people are thinking about,” he said.
Before Crenshaw made his remarks, club member Henry Beckwith and his wife, Madeleine, were recognized as major donors by the Rotary International Foundation for their contribution of more than $10,000 to the club’s philanthropic efforts.
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