Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Friday told a Republican audience that the party must expand its base of support if it is going to be competitive in national elections.

Speaking at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City, Bush urged Republicans to get out of their “comfort zone” by taking the conservative message to young people and nonwhite voters — demographic groups that tend to back Democrats.

“I think we need to get beyond preaching to the choir, to be honest with you,” Bush told the summit, at which several GOP presidential contenders and other conservatives were scheduled to speak.