Speaking in Nevada, the former Florida governor seemed to acknowledge he was a candidate but right afterward indicated he had not made up his mind.
"I'm running for president in 2016, and the focus is going to be about how we, if I run, how do you create high sustained economic growth," Jeb Bush said.
He also made clear earlier in his exchange with reporters that he was not yet a candidate. "No, no I'm not an official candidate. I've been traveling the country for the last three months and making up my mind, trying to determine the support I may have should I go forward," he said.
A transcript of the exchange was provided by a Bush aide.
Bush announced in December that he would "actively explore" a run for the White House, but he has yet to formally declare he is running.