If Pennsylvania's Republican presidential primary ends up being relevant this spring, Jeb Bush is ready.
Bush supporters on Tuesday filed more than 4,000 signatures of state registered Republican voters on nominating petitions to qualify the Florida governor for the April 26 primary ballot, Bush's campaign said. The signatures, more than double the 2,000 required, were gathered by volunteers in 54 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, campaign officials said.
The state provides a narrower window than many for circulation of petitions, beginning on Jan 26 and ending Tuesday.
Republicans next vote in the South Carolina primary Saturday. Some party leaders are anticipating a drawn-out nomination contest as Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz face challenges from Bush, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, jockeying to emerge as the favorite of the establishment GOP against the two outsiders.