The Bush family is Republican royalty in Texas for many, so it was a big deal when both former presidents Bush refused to endorse Donald Trump.
George W. Bush even left the president spot blank on his ballot, according to his spokesman.
The only member of the Bush family to campaign for the president-elect is George P. Bush, son of Jeb Bush, one of Trump's primary opponents. He said he is his own man and, when it comes to the GOP, he's a team player.
George P. Bush — the commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas — said he's happy that Texas stayed red in the election and is pleased with the results.
"It was a big night," he said. "All of our statewide elected officials won with over 10 percent of the vote. Donald Trump won, of course. We won a majority of the competitive House races that we were seeking to protect."
Many negative things were said about Bush's father and mother during a very heated campaign with Donald Trump, yet Bush said it wasn't hard to endorse Trump.
"Politics is a tough business," he said. "The commitment I made to not only the Republican Party here, but to my own supporters that wanted me to support Donald Trump, the candidate, was that the alternative was far worse."
A spokesman said former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush said they didn't vote for Trump or Hillary Clinton. George P. Bush said his decision to vote Trump was his own.
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"I'm a man in my own right, but it was a tough decision. Not one to be taken lightly by any means," he said.
Bush, who is part Hispanic, also addressed the concerns some in the Hispanic community may have about a Trump presidency.
"I say, 'Tranquilo.' It's going to be OK," he said. "I think Donald Trump's vision will incorporate all America. He has reached out in a unifying tone as of last night and he's going to take advantage of that and reach across party aisles, reach across to all communities to make sure we are taking on our biggest issues."
Bush said his father and grandfather, George H.W. Bush, reached out to Trump Wednesday to congratulate him.
