George P. Bush begins political career with win

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) â€" George P. Bush took the first step toward continuing his familys political dynasty Tuesday, shaking off an under-funded primary challenger and securing the Republican nomination for the little-known but powerful post of Texas land commissioner.

The 37-year-old Fort Worth attorney is the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush, nephew of former President and Texas Gov. George W. Bush, and son of ex-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush who is frequently mentioned as a possible Republican White House hopeful in 2016.

Hes also a Spanish speaker whose mother Columba was born in Mexico and who Republican leaders statewide long have touted as key to wooing voters among Texas booming Hispanic population.

"We dont have to change our conservative principles to win, we just need to change our tactics," said Bush, who spoke English and Spanish to the crowd at his victory party at a Fort Worth Mexican restaurant. His mother was among the attendees.

He noted that his campaign traveled to numerous heavily Hispanic areas, including making several trips to the Texas-Mexico border.

Tuesdays result was never in doubt. There was no incumbent running and Bush used his American political-royalty surname to raise more than $3.5 million while his opponent, East Texas businessman David Watts, could barely afford to travel the state.

Bush immediately becomes the overwhelming favorite in November against Democratic nominee and former El Paso Mayor John Cook. A Democrat hasnt captured statewide office in Texas in 20 years.

The land commissioner administers Texas vast, state-owned lands and mineral resources, and its a post that can be a stepping stone to higher office. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst was land commissioner before winning his current job.

Bush taught school in inner-city Miami before earning a law degree from the University of Texas and clerking for a federal judge. He later founded a capital company in Fort Worth and, in 2010, served an eight-month tour in Afghanistan with U.S. Naval Intelligence under an assumed name.