Youngest Governor for Louisiana
Louisiana elected the son of an Indian immigrant as governor yesterday as the fallout from Hurricane Katrina continued to dominate the state. Bobby Jindal, 36, becomes the youngest state governor in the US and the first non-white governor of Louisiana since the 1870s.
The Republican replaces Kathleen Blanco, who was criticized for her performance during the 2005 hurricane and its aftermath. Ms Blanco, a Democrat, did not run for re-election, leaving Mr Jindal as the most high-profile of 12 candidates. "My mom and dad came to this country in pursuit of the American dream ... They found [it] to be alive and well right here in Louisiana," he said at his victory party.
Mr Jindal's father, Amar Jindal, left the Punjab 40 years ago and settled in Baton Rouge. The new governor-elect was born Piyush Jindal but, according to the family, when he was four asked his parents if he could be called Bobby, after a character on the Brady Bunch TV show.
Mr Jindal based his campaign on a pledge to root out corruption. His victory highlights the changes in the state since hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While Democrats make up half of the 2.8m registered voters, their numbers have dropped by 57,000 since the hurricanes struck.
The Republican replaces Kathleen Blanco, who was criticized for her performance during the 2005 hurricane and its aftermath. Ms Blanco, a Democrat, did not run for re-election, leaving Mr Jindal as the most high-profile of 12 candidates. "My mom and dad came to this country in pursuit of the American dream ... They found [it] to be alive and well right here in Louisiana," he said at his victory party.
Mr Jindal's father, Amar Jindal, left the Punjab 40 years ago and settled in Baton Rouge. The new governor-elect was born Piyush Jindal but, according to the family, when he was four asked his parents if he could be called Bobby, after a character on the Brady Bunch TV show.
Mr Jindal based his campaign on a pledge to root out corruption. His victory highlights the changes in the state since hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While Democrats make up half of the 2.8m registered voters, their numbers have dropped by 57,000 since the hurricanes struck.
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