Marco Rubeo (R) former Speaker of the House, will take this open seat now. Statement on Former Governor Jeb Bush's Announcement Regarding the US Senate Washington, D.C. - Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer released the following statement today regarding former Florida Governor Jeb Bush�s announcement that he will not run for the U.S. Senate: "While we are disappointed in former Governor Jeb Bush's decision not to seek this U.S. Senate seat, Florida Republicans can rest assured that we have a number of outstanding potential candidates. Under the leadership of Republicans like Senator Mel Martinez, former Governor Bush, and Governor Charlie Crist, the Republican Party of Florida has created a formidable cadre of qualified candidates for higher office, and we look forward to seeing their ideas for the future including lowering taxes on families and businesses and reigning in government spending in action during a spirited campaign."