WASHINGTON: Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney told several donors Friday he’s seriously considering a third run for the White House, a move that surprised his most loyal supporters and former staff after months of insisting his career in politics is over.

Romney, who ran unsuccessfully against President Barack Obama in 2012, attended a private gathering of donors at the New York offices of Woody Johnson, a leading Romney donor in 2012 and owner of the New York Jets football team, several people with direct knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press.

All spoke under condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the private discussions. The meeting was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The news from Romney comes as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush marches swiftly toward a 2016 bid of his own, which threatens to win much of the support from the Republican establishment that fueled Romney’s last campaign. Bush has spent recent weeks hosting private fundraising meetings across the country and is courting top talent to staff a potential campaign.