Jeb Bush speaks during a town hall meeting in Mason City, Iowa, on Sept. 21, 2015. (Charlie Neibergall, AP)

MASON CITY, Iowa — The fact that the first two casualties of the Republican presidential race are conservative governors is not a bad omen for Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor argued Monday just hours after Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announced his withdrawal from the field.

“Clearly my record, the record of Walker, the record of Gov. (Rick) Perry, are records of accomplishment,” Bush said following an event here. “You cannot say that Scott Walker or Rick Perry or myself are insiders in Washington. We got to disrupt the order of our state capitals, and people were better off because of it.”

On the stage here Monday night, Bush opened his remarks by lauding Walker and Perry, the former Texas governor, as “great public servants” and expressed surprise at Walker’s just-announced exit from the race.

At a news conference afterward, he defiantly rejected the notion that he might leave the race, adding that he’s hopeful he can pick up Walker’s voters and endorsers.

“We have a plan to win,” Bush said. “I’m in it for the long haul. Things are going great.”

In his stump speech, Bush reiterated his call for new tax and regulatory policies, which he said could spark a 4% annual economic growth rate. An aide said he’ll announce additional plans on regulatory reform during a stop Tuesday in Gladbrook.

Bush also pledged to “restore civility” to national politics, and described a muscular foreign policy that would build up the U.S. military and project strength around the world. He was sharply critical of the deal struck by the U.S. and other world powers to restrict Iran’s ability to obtain a nuclear bomb, and said the next president must demonstrate a willingness to use military force in Iran and increase military support to Israel.

In response to a question about Planned Parenthood and federal funding for abortion, he said if elected he would invoke what he called the “Reagan Rule,” an interpretation of federal law allowing the president to unilaterally withhold funding for the women’s health organization.

Perhaps 200 people turned out for the event, including a handful who readily identified themselves as Democrats and many who said they were still evaluating the Republican field.

“I’m not committing to him yet, but I appreciate his stance on probably a majority of the issues that are on everyone’s plate,” said Deb Hild, of Clear Lake. She said she also liked what she’s heard from candidates Carly Fiorina, Marco Rubio and Walker.

Eric Franklin of Mason City said he was “on the fence” between Bush and candidate Ben Carson. He likes Bush’s experience, but also Carson’s thoughtful and deliberative demeanor.

Danny Thoms of Mason City, likewise, is still weighing his options, and likes what he’s heard from GOP front-runner Donald Trump. Still, he said he was “highly impressed” with Bush on Monday.

“I think he means what he says and he’ll do what he says,” he said. “I’m not sure I’m going to vote for him yet, I’m undecided.”

Noble reports for The Des Moines Register