( CNN ) Former Florida Gov . Jeb Bush has decided to `` actively explore '' a presidential bid after conversations with his family over Thanksgiving , he said in a Facebook post Tuesday . While Bush had been making steps toward a presidential bid with recent speeches in early primary states and plans to release documents from his time period as governor , the timing of Tuesday 's announcement was widely unexpected and will quicken the pace for some would-be Republican primary challengers . In the post , Bush writes that over the holiday he `` talked about the future of the nation '' with his family . `` As a result of these conversations and thoughtful consideration of the kind of strong leadership I think America needs , I have decided to actively explore the possibility of running for President of the United States , '' he said . Bush has been moving toward a run for months and in recent days sparked renewed speculation over his plans with a visit to the all-important early primary state of South Carolina to give a commencement speech Monday , and his comments in a Sunday interview that he felt he `` would be a good president . '' RELATED : Bush to grads : 'Shake things up ' Democrats scoffed at his announcement . Democratic National Committee spokesman Mo Elleithee suggested it was simply meant to draw press , but dismissed the possibility of a Bush run either way . `` I do n't know what the difference is between 'thinking about ' running and 'actively exploring ' running , but I suspect it has a lot to do with keeping his name in the news , '' Elleithee said . `` However you see it , there 's no parsing this simple fact : Jeb Bush has fully embraced the failed economic agenda that benefits only a select few at the expense of the middle class . That 's not going to change no matter how many different ways he says he may run . '' Bush 's announcement is sure to speed up the timeline for many other potential Republican presidential contenders on whether to jump in as well . Bush is seen as a top pick for establishment Republicans hoping to encourage the party to nominate a candidate they see as most electable on the national stage . Many observers believe if Bush jumps in the race , Florida Sen. Marco Rubio — who 's been mentored by Bush since his entry into Florida politics — would n't run . And he 'd likely make it tougher for some of the more establishment-minded governors , like Texas Gov . Rick Perry or New Jersey Gov . Chris Christie , to find footing in the race . However , a source near Rubio said Tuesday that while Bush 's announcement changes the dynamic of the race , the junior Florida Senator is still `` on track to run for president '' in 2016 . And Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul , who has been actively preparing for a bid and would likely run to Bush 's right flank , also seemed nonplussed by the announcement . `` I think we 're a big tent -- we can use moderates , conservatives , libertarians — we need em all , '' he told reporters walking into the Capitol . Asked whether he could win the nomination , Paul demurred . `` I think the more the merrier -- the public will determine that . '' Bush added in Tuesday 's post that he hopes `` to visit with many of you and have a conversation about restoring the promise of America '' in the coming months . RELATED : 6 things to know about Jeb Bush . Bush also announced the creation of a PAC , which will aim to `` support leaders , ideas and policies that will expand opportunity and prosperity for all Americans . '' He added that the PAC would `` facilitate conversations with citizens across America to discuss the most critical challenges facing our exceptional nation . '' On Sunday , Bush also announced plans to release about 250,000 emails from his time in office and an upcoming e-book about his time as governor , moves seen as efforts to re-introduce Americans to his governing chops in preparation to emerge as a more prominent player on the national stage . If he does make his bid official , he 'll likely face fierce opposition from conservatives in the primary , who have long been frustrated with his advocacy for Common Core educational standards and his support for a more moderate vision of immigration reform . RELATED : Bush releases 250,000 emails . He 's previously expressed support for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants , though he 's wavered in that support since . And while he 's come out in opposition to President Barack Obama 's executive actions on immigration , he 's also urged Republicans to act on immigration reform `` rather than have their heads explode . '' That moderation on immigration reform — and his diverse family , as his wife was born in Mexico and he speaks fluent Spanish — have many in the GOP hopeful Bush could help the party overcome some of their deficit with Hispanic voters , which has proven to be problematic for them in national races . Despite the likely conservative opposition , Bush has hinted he would n't shift to the far-right to please GOP primary voters if he runs . During the Wall Street Journal CEO Council annual meeting earlier this month , Bush warned that the GOP presidential nominee should n't `` lose the primary to win the general without violating your principles . '' The comments came as the conservative and more centrist wings of the GOP continue to debate a path forward for the party , with many on the right arguing former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney lost in 2012 because he did n't stand strong enough on conservative principles . But Romney and Bush , despite the conservative criticism , remain two of the most popular figures in the party , and indeed both led the recent McClatchy-Marist national poll of the potential GOP presidential field . Romney took 19 percent , while Bush came in second with 14 percent support ; with Romney out of the race , Bush would lead with 16 percent support , followed by former Arkansas Gov . Mike Huckabee with 12 percent . Dana Bash and Ted Barrett contributed to this report .
Other Tuesday hopefuls maintain that Marco Rubio 's announcement would n't prevent them from running . Bush posted 2016 on his social media accounts that he 's exploring a presidential bid . Bush has been making moves toward a run -- particularly in the past 48 hours . Hispanic said that Bush 's announcement was more about keeping his name in the news .