Jeb Bush will not run for US Senate

Washington: Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and brother of President George W. Bush, has decided not to run for the US Senate, ending weeks of speculation that he would try to preserve a family power centre in the nation's capital.

In contrast to his older brother, Jeb Bush left office with high approval ratings and a reputation as a master of policy. He was considered the strongest contender for the seat being vacated by Republican Mel Martinez in 2010.

Bush's decision forces the GOP to defend a seat in a one-time Republican stronghold where Barack Obama's presidential effort has built a potent Democratic campaign machinery.

"There was a lot of support, and support from interesting places," Bush said in an interview, "but this would have been a big detour in my life."

Partisan attacks

Bush said he intends to focus on his growing real estate business and to devote time to his family. He spent much of Tuesday calling friends and supporters to give them the news.

Still, the former governor said he would continue to advocate for conservative ideas, and he offered a bit of advice to fellow Republicans: Don't target the new president with the same kind of partisan attacks that he said Democrats had hurled unfairly at his brother - attacks that he summed up as "Bush-hating."