Louisiana Governor ’07: Jindal Readying Another Run

Already looking past the 2006 midterm elections? Well, if you are, you don’t need to look all the way to 2008 to find a race that’s already starting to take shape.

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) announced recently that she will seek reelection in 2007. But Blanco’s prospects are uncertain at best, both because of her performance after Hurricane Katrina and because the state’s new demographic make-up could make statewide races more difficult for any Democrat following the destruction of much of New Orleans.

Blanco might not be the only well-known Democrat in the race, since Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, brother of Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and son of former New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu, might also consider a run. One thing is certain, Republican U.S. Representative Bobby Jindal is readying for another run for governor.

Jindal won’t say so publicly, but Republican insiders close to the Congressman say that he has his sights set on 2007 and will again try for the office that he lost narrowly in 2003.

Jindal easily won the election to fill David Vitter’s open House seat in 2004 when Vitter ran for the Senate.

UPDATE: Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu (D) is expected to challenge New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (D) in the April 22 mayoral primary. A May 20 runoff is scheduled, if necessary.

By Stuart Rothenberg

This piece first appeared on Town Hall on January 26, 2006.