Governor Bush Press Release re Endorsement of Tom Lee for CFO 5/17/06

May 17, 2006

GovernorJeb Bush Endorses Tom Lee

for Florida�s Next Chief Financial Officer

-The most significant publicendorsement in the �06 Election Cycle-

(Tallahassee, FL)�Governor Jeb Bush today endorsed� Senate President Tom Lee in his bid to become Florida�s next Chief Financial Officer (CFO).The Governor�sendorsement came at a press conference held in Tallahassee earlier this afternoon.

“Tom is agood man and proven leader who will represent the residents of Florida well,”said Governor Bush.”He has a proven record on issues ranging from one of Florida’s top priorities– education to insurance reform.Tom is a strong candidate who will represent the Republican Partywell.”

“Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the support of Governor Bush,” said President Lee. “I accept the Governor�s endorsement with great honor and an enormous senseof responsibility. I intend to campaign hard and will rely on the Governor�s counsel not only in my campaign, but should I beelected by the people, as a trusted and valued resource to the CFO.”

In August of last year, President Lee announced his candidacy before friends and family in his hometown of Brandon, Florida. Since then, President Lee�s campaign has far outpaced his opponents in fundraising and continues to gain tremendous grassroots support within the GOP.

Biographical information:

Governor Bush was elected Florida�s 43rd Governor in 1998 and was subsequently re-elected in 2002.He has brought historic change to the state during his eight years in office and has earned a place in Florida history as one of the most successful and highly regarded governors.

Governor Bush has transformed Florida into a national leader in job growth and economic stability, while at the same time reducing taxes and government regulation on families and businesses.Hehas championed significant reforms to Florida�s education system, instituted greater accountability in the classroom,and worked to increase parental involvement. As a result Florida has experienced rising student achievement under Governor Bush�s tenure.

Governor Bush has fought tirelessly for the safety and well being of Floridians through tough crime measures and increased penalties for offenders.The Governor may be best known for his calming leadership and compassionate guidance during Florida�s catastrophic hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005. During this time, he became a crusader for Floridians whose homes and businesses were devastated by natural disaster.

Senate President Tom Lee is best known for his straight forward leadership style and for championing bold reforms. Since being elected to the Florida Senate in 1996, Lee has worked with the Republican-led Legislature and Governor Bush to sponsor conservative policies such as repealing the first phase of the intangibles tax cuts, sponsoring the “Choose Life”license plate, and sponsoring a constitutional amendment requiring state government to reduce wasteful spending and focus on long-term financial planning.

Most recently, as President of the Florida Senate, Lee and his Republican colleagues worked together to pass historic tort reform, Governor Bush�s “A++” education initiative, over $350 million in tax cuts, and a comprehensive property and casualty insurance reform package.However, Lee�s hallmark in the legislature will be the passage of what has been hailed as “the toughest ethics reform legislation in the nation” during the 2005 Special Session.