Former Florida governor Jeb Bush has officially entered the race to become the Republican nominee for US president.

“We will take Washington - the static capital of this dynamic country - out of the business of causing problems,” Bush said at Miami Dade College on Monday.

Earlier, an excerpt of his announcement was released.

The 62-year-old brother of ex-president George W. Bush is kicking off his presidential campaign with an optimistic message about America's future.

“In any language, my message will be an optimistic one because I am certain that we can make the decades just ahead in America the greatest time ever to be alive in this world,” he said.

In an ad hours ahead of his official launch, Bush touted a number of policymaking successes from his time in office, including progress on economy, domestic violence and education.

“We led; we reformed; we got results. That's what's missing from Washington,” he said in the online video.

"I'm ready to lead" America, Bush declared.

Despite his family name, Bush is trying to position himself as an outsider. “Washington. The D.C. crowd talks about what’s wrong with America; I see what’s right. They talk about problems, I see solutions.”

Bush believes he could break away from the rest of the Republican field, which already boasts 10 candidates.

"And as a candidate, contrary to someone who has been listening and learning along the way, I'll offer up alternatives to the path we're on as well, so I'll be more specific on policy," he told CNN on Sunday.

The son of George H. W. Bush, another former president, is widely expected to attract the strongest group of aides and donors in the GOP field thanks to his own ties in Florida and the network established by his family.

He is the second Republican candidate from the Sunshine State to run for the White House.

Senator Marco Rubio, who announced his presidential bid in April, welcomed his "friend" to the GOP race on Monday. The two Florida Republicans have known each other for more than a decade.

"He is a passionate advocate for what he believes, and I welcome him to the race," Rubio said. Bush quickly responded on Twitter, saying "thanks Marco. Glad I can do it in our hometown. See you out there!"

Bush, who has run a de facto campaign for six months, is entering the race as one of the Republican Party’s frontrunners, according to most GOP polls.

Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton is the frontrunner on the Democratic side, with no current close competition.

HRJ/HRJ