Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin praised Jeb Bush on Monday, highlighting his remarks on raising children with special needs.
The comments from Palin, who remains a favorite with some grassroots conservatives, come a day after Bush’s official entry to the presidential race.
{mosads}“It was encouraging today to hear Governor Jeb Bush speak directly to an issue that touches so many lives in these challenging times, both culturally and fiscally – raising a child with special needs,” Palin wrote on her Facebook page.
“I’m glad Jeb’s life was touched by God’s purpose-filled children, and hope he continues with a positive message of inclusion, empowerment and specifics as how we can best advocate for families who would never expect government to do it all, but would like to count on government being on their side,” she added.
Bush, whose campaign thanked Palin in a tweet, remarked during his announcement about his efforts as Florida governor on behalf of children with developmental challenges.
“We didn’t leave them last in line. We put them first in line, because they are not a problem, they are a priority,” he said in his speech in Miami.
Palin has traditionally thrown her weight behind grassroots Republican candidates, and Bush is seen as an establishment candidate.
Ahead of his speech, Bush’s campaign released a video Sunday featuring a woman named Berthy De La Rose-Aponte, whose daughter is autistic.
“He really cares about us. He really cares about people with developmental disabilities, and with all disabilities,” Rose-Aponte said in the video. “There are people today that are getting services because of what Jeb did.”
Palin, whose post included a photo of Bush seen in the video, encouraged followers to “keep our hearts open” about a potential 2016 Republican presidential nominee.