WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Bush political dynasty has a new junior member, Mr George P. Bush, who has won an election in Texas for an obscure statewide office, local media reported.

The 38-year-old Mr Bush is the nephew of former president George W. Bush, grandson of ex-president George H. W. Bush and son of former Florida governor and potential presidential hopeful Jeb Bush (below).

Mr Bush cruised to victory for the post of land commissioner, which administers public lands and oversees lucrative mineral rights for oil and gas in Texas.Local media projected Mr Bush winning with nearly 60 per cent of the vote, way ahead of his opponents.

Mr Bush, a lawyer who has managed an energy firm, is the first of the family's long line of politicians, dating back to Connecticut senator Prescott Bush, who managed to prevail in his first electoral race.

Although the Bush name evokes mixed emotions nationally, it is still a valuable commodity in Texas politics, where Mr George W. Bush served as governor before becoming president in 2001.

The younger Mr Bush raised millions for the statewide race, breaking records for fund-raising for an office that usually attracts little attention.

Mr George P. Bush's mother is from Mexico and he speaks fluent Spanish, making him an attractive candidate for a Republican party keen to win over the crucial Latino vote.

He also has military experience, having served as a US navy reserve officer.

As land commissioner, he will control vast revenues from the oil and gas sector that fund public schools in Texas.